Michael Honea

Michael was born in Gainesville, Texas on July 26, 1940. When he was just a young child, the family moved to Dallas, Texas, where he grew up. He graduated in 1958 in the first graduating class of Thomas Jefferson High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Southern Methodist University, with aspirations of becoming a writer.

He lived abroad in Europe, in England and Germany, working for United Press International. Notably, he did in-person interviews with actress Elizabeth Taylor and with Eamon de Valera, the former President of Ireland. While galavanting around the European continent, he received a letter from the draft board. He returned home, took his draft letter to the nearest Air Force recruiter, and made a deal that if they could make his draft letter go away, he’d enlist immediately. They agreed and off he went to basic training in San Antonio, Texas. While in boot camp, he was moved into the Officer Training School, where he graduated as a Second Lieutenant. He served as a munitions officer in Colorado, Utah, and Korea during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged from active service in 1968 as a Captain, and was always proud of his military service.

While stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, he met Mary Louise Cawley and they married in 1964 and started a family. After he was discharged from the Air Force, the family moved to Garland, Texas in 1969. Over the years, he was employed with various companies as a Press Relations Specialist, Publicist, Public Relations Manager, and Marketing Manager, until finally retiring from HOLT CAT Dallas in 2007. Although his marriage to Mary ended in 1992, they always remained good friends.

When the Washington Senators baseball team relocated to the Dallas area and became the Texas Rangers in 1972, he was no less than a super fan and was over the moon when they finally won the World Series in 2023.

Michael earned his Master's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1979. He was a prolific author of over 10 full length novels, many short stories, and poetry. He loved music, played the guitar, and passed this love to his children. He also achieved the degree of Brown Belt in Taekwondo.

He is survived by his children Kristin (Bill) Curfman of Garland, Texas, Joel (Kim) Honea of Richardson, Texas, Sean (Marci) Honea of Annapolis, Maryland, Gloria Honea of Garland, Texas, his sister Joie Honea Henderson of Lufkin, Texas, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his nieces, and many dear friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred Honea Jr. and Mary Jane Chambers Honea, his brother Fred Honea III, his son Brian Honea, and grandson Aaron Honea. What a happy reunion that must have been!

A graveside service with military honors will be held at Sparkman/Hillcrest Cemetery, 7405 Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas, 75225 on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 1:00 pm. All are welcome.

“Of all things we have on earth, we leave them all behind in death, you see, except love.” - Michael Honea, excerpt from Time, 1979