Michael Wayne Kosarek

Born on October 5, 1953, in Houston, Texas to Lillie Jean and Charles Kosarek. He was the second son of their four boys. In 1955 the family relocated to Dallas, Texas then later made their home in Arlington, Texas. As a youth, Mike joined the Boy Scouts and achieved the highest rank by earning the Eagle Scout Award. Mike had many hobbies including collecting coins with his mother and gardening. Throughout his life, Mike participated and excelled in sports. He enjoyed baseball, basketball, fishing, hunting, water skiing, parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, snow skiing, camping, backpacking, hiking and playing golf. He was always up for an adventure, especially if it was outdoors. Mike's interest in nature guided him to pursue a degree in Forestry Management at Stephen F. Austin State University. His skills were first valued during his time at Six Flags Over Texas as an Arborist.

When he was a licensed scuba diver, Mike briefly taught scuba diving lessons. He coached and refereed at youth baseball games and was a multi-year volunteer at his former church as well as Habitat for Humanity. Mike was also quite the handyman and willingly helped friends and family with various projects. It seemed there was nothing that he couldn’t fix or make better. For several years and multiple times a year Mike generously donated blood.

His longest employment was with Oncor where he managed and trained a multitude of employees from 30 service centers across Texas. In 2018, Mike retired from his Environmental Management job after more than 40 years. Never one to be idle and mere weeks after retiring he was off on a cruise from Italy to Greece. Shortly after returning home, Mike and his son left for a 5-week trip hiking from France to Spain. In 2022, Mike completed what became his final long distance family hiking trip from Portugal to Spain. Every moment that Mike was outdoors with those he loved brought him joy. Mike often talked about his treks throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. He was especially fond of the experiences he shared with family and friends. Mike was also known as a hard-working man that lived his life to the fullest. Even after he was diagnosed with a rare kidney cancer called Urothelial Carcinoma, he remained as active as he could each day of his life.

Preceding him in death were his father, Charles Kosarek; and his youngest brother, Steven Kosarek.

Mike is survived by his mother, Lillie Jean Kosarek; his wife of 42 years, Mari Kosarek; daughters, Jessica Kosarek and Christine Kosarek; son, Travis Kosarek; brother, William (Bill) Kosarek; brother, John David (JD) Kosarek and his wife, Pam; as well as an uncle, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and their children. He will be lovingly remembered.

Mike requested to be cremated and his ashes scattered at a later date. For those who wish to do so they may honor Mike by donating to a charity of their choice.

A Celebration of Mike's life will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 1:00PM to 4:00PM at Shady Valley Country Club, 4001 West Park Row, Arlington, Texas 76013.