MICHAEL RAY ”MIKE” WILSON
July 29, 1955 ˜ July 12, 2021

Michael Ray ”Mike” Wilson left us unexpectedly July 12, 2021, from a tragic car accident in Eastern Oregon.
He was a well-loved father, son, brother, uncle, grandpa and friend. Mike was a pillar of the Vancouver, WA, community for several decades and will be missed by all who knew him. Mike was born July 29, 1955, at Memorial Hospital to Raymond and Mary Wilson. He attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School and later graduated from Fort Vancouver High School. After high school, Mike briefly attended WSU followed by the University of Portland and University of Oxford, graduating with a degree in political science and business.
He and his former wife Trina welcomed their only daughter in 1988. He was always a very proud father. Over the years Mike worked in many different industries. As an avid collector, he co-owned Paddington Station antique store, hosted “Up Front With Mike Wilson” on KVAN 1550 radio, worked as a business development manager for Mt. Angel Abbey, and was the head of development at Innovative Services NW. Most recently, he was a Senior Associate at Westby Associates, Inc. where he passionately guided nonprofits through fundraising efforts and capital campaigns locally and regionally such as Share, Children’s Center, Community Home Health & Hospice, and The Salvation Army Vancouver Corps. His proudest accomplishment was the fundraising campaign for the CDM Caregiving Services Adult Day Center, named after his dear friend John McKibbin. Mike also had a love for politics. He spent many years working on various election campaigns, was a member of the Vancouver City Council from 1990-1997, and could regularly be seen on CVTV hosting local election results. Those that knew Mike best knew that he was very proud of his Scottish heritage and was always looking for an opportunity to wear his kilt. He took many trips to Scotland throughout his life to connect with his loved ones overseas. His other favorite travels included backpacking through Egypt, exploring Bali, and visiting his daughter Ashley as she taught kindergarten in Costa Rica. With a scotch in one hand and cigar in the other, Mike loved regaling his friends and family with tales of travel adventures and antiquing treasure finds. It was this love of travel that he passed down to Ashley and was ever wondering which part of the world she was trekking off to next.
Mike was preceded in death by his father, Ray (go Cougs!). He leaves behind his beloved daughter, Ashley (and husband Scott); treasured mum, Mae; sister, Michelle (and husband Brian); nephews and nieces, Troy, Brady, Shaley, and Kylie; grandchildren, Elijah and Noah; and loyal canine companion, Oscar.
A funeral mass will be held Monday, August 2, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 11 a.m., with interment at Evergreen Memorial Gardens shortly after. A reception will take place at CDM Caregiving Services McKibbin Center from 2-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make a donation in his name to CDM Caregiving Services (Vancouver, WA) or Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness (Enterprise, OR) as we know Mike would love nothing more than to be a part of one last fundraiser. We love and miss you dearly Michael.
Please share a memory @ www.columbian.com/obits

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Columbian on Jul. 25, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Wilson

5 Entries

Joseph Schechla

August 9, 2021

Mike left us way too early. Our friendship has been 60-years long this year, since we shared first grade. We used to pal around as little kids. I would visit him at home in those early days, and we would play out medieval scenarious in his miniature Scottish castle. (I had toy trains then, but certainly not my own Scottish castle. How cool is that?!) That friendly bonding has lasted a lifetime.

Later in life, my parents moved into the Wilson's former house on Arizona Drive, in Vancouver. And when I would visit family and friends in Vancouver, we always made plans to get together. Over the years, we came to appreciate that--while we diverged in our career paths and locations in the world--our work and corresponding passions coincided in so many important ways.

The great work Mike has done locally has been a model of the civic service, social responsibility and good governance aligns so much with what we advocate at the international level through the Housing and Land Rights Network of Habitat International Coalition from Cairo (another point along our commonly trodden paths).

It is poetic somehow how our parallel lives shared so many shared values and objectives, not least 'the continuous improvement of living conditions' and human rights through democratic processes and social justice. That is a rare and admirable characteristic in any fellow citizen, but especially valued as a basis of friendship.

Mike, 'it's you, it's you must go and I must bide.'

I hate to say that Mike's work has stopped, but at his memorial service, I was so encouraged to learn of the ongoing good will and passionate efforts of Mike's colleagues to carry on his legacy. It is also gratifying to know that my hometown friend so many thousands away from me is appreciated also as a local hero.

We salute the good work that 'Wilson' has done and pledge to continue his example.

'it's you, it's you must go and I must bide.'

Scott Cave

August 2, 2021

I was very saddened to learn of Mike Wilson's untimely passing. We worked together as staff to John McKibbin's 1988 Congressional campaign. From the start, his personal drive and impressive communication skills were evident, and became a trademark of his career, which included long nights to help or be with others. I'll miss his friendship, quick wit, energy, wry smile and honesty. My deepest sympathies and condolences to his daughter Ashley and 'mum', as Mike would say. Unfortunately, I'm unable to attend his funeral service today to honor him and support his family. God bless.

Dan Tonkovich

July 28, 2021

My deepest sympathy and condolences to the entire Wilson family. Mike and I were deeply connected by 38 years of genuine and trusted friendship and shared interests. Not a day will pass without deeply missing his physical presence. We were always comfortable with and around each other and we thoroughly enjoyed our time together. I am heartbroken by his death. May God provide comfort to his loving Mother and Daughter and may they be reassured that Mike is in the loving arms of his heavenly Father and surrounded by family members and friends. Mike, and many good memories, will remain in my heart forever.

John McDonald

July 26, 2021

I can't find the words to express the feelings of loss I have at Mike's death, and my sympathies go out to Mae, Ashley, and Michelle. The times I spent with Mike are among the fondest memories I have of my time in Vancouver. Mike supported me in my campaign for political office, spent countless social hours sitting around swapping stories and experiences (we used to call it 'lying to each other'), and plumbing the depths of far more serious matters. Mike was a friend in every way. I will miss him, and I can only imagine what Ashley, Mae, and Michelle are going through right now.

Raymond Michael (formerly of Boardman, OR)

July 25, 2021

So shocked to hear about Mike. I will be forever thankful for Mike's work on economic devel. in the Boardman area. Particularly the Boardman Pool and Rec. Ctr. Big project but with Mike's drive we got it done. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results