Michael Dean Rambo

On Friday, March 21, 2008, we lost our beloved father, husband and dear friend, Mike Rambo, in a tragic car accident that involved his whole family who were traveling back from a family camping trip. Funeral: 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church of Grapevine, Interment: 11 a.m. Thursday in Tatum Cemetery in Tatum. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mike Rambo Memorial Fund in care of Peoples Bank, 5712 Colleyville Blvd., P.O. Box 1644, Colleyville, Texas 76034. Mike's passing is a deep loss to all who knew him and he will be dearly missed. The community has lost a great servant, and we share in his family's grief. Mike's wife of 28 years, Mary-Margaret; and their two sons, Charles and Aaron, were also injured in the crash and are in recovery at home in Colleyville. Mike Rambo was born July 28, 1955, in Bryan. He gained his undergraduate degree from Stephen F. Austin College, and completed his master's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. Mike was a remarkable friend, father and public servant with a multitude of talents and gifts which he shared with all who had the honor to know him. He was a man with vast knowledge on every subject from astronomy and bird study to photography, music, soccer, swimming, camping, hiking, (the list goes on and on). Perhaps Mike's greatest talent was helping others to understand the greatest joy in life was service to others. As Scoutmaster of Troop 28, Colleyville, Mike was the consummate Boy Scout, guiding young men in principles of leadership, personal responsibility, citizenship, stewardship of nature, and all the other ideals of the Scouting program which he lived in his own life. The city of Colleyville recently awarded its very first Service Award to Troop 28 under Mike's leadership. A man of many lanyards around his neck, Mike would hear a bird call while hiking a steep trail, pull his binoculars up from a lanyard, and identify the bird and teach about its habitat. Later that night, he would gaze with wonder at the constellations, identifying them one by one with a trusted laser pointer he kept on yet another lanyard. An Eagle Scout himself, Mike also held numerous Scout training awards as well as Woodbadge Member, Order of the Arrow, BSA Lifeguard, and Cubmaster. He led several Scout high-adventure treks to Philmont Scout Ranch and Northern Tier, as well as numerous summer camps in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. Mike was a BESA soccer coach and supporter of the National Championship L.D. Bell Blue Raider Band. Mike Rambo, as director of e-commerce services at McKesson, was also the recipient of the coveted 2006 McKesson's Neil Harlan Award for his outstanding community service. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Grapevine. Survivors: His wife, Mary-Margaret Rambo; his sons, Charles Patrick Rambo and Aaron Michael Rambo; his father, James E. Rambo; sisters, Cheryl Gerber, Bonnie Binder, Debra Cleek; brother, Kenneth Rambo; numerous nieces and nephews; and his extended family of Scouters and Scouts whom he loved very much.