Michael Anthony Wery

Michael was born to parents Linda and James Wery on July 5, 1960, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Michael is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Marylou, as well as his children, Maritess, Michael James (Jon), and Nicholas (Rowan); his two siblings, John (Tina) of Kansas and Jaelin (Ted) of Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Shortly after graduating high school in 1978, Michael enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and received his first assignment at Eielson AFB, Alaska. It wasn't long before Michael eventually met his beautiful future wife, Marylou, during the baptism of a mutual friend's daughter in the summer of 1980. One of the things that made Michael and Marylou an instant match was their shared propensity for quickly going after what they wanted. This was no exception when it came to marrying within several months of getting to know one another, making it official on the morning of October 16, 1980 at The Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska.

After the birth of Michael's first child, Michael James, the Air Force took him to many locations around the world. First in California where his second son, Nicholas, was born, and then on to South Korea before joining the rest of his family in the Philippines at Clark AFB in 1985. Michael soon became a mainstay for Marylou's family in Manila, where he and Marylou adopted their daughter, Maritess. The Wery family soon moved to Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan for six years before coming full circle back to Alaska in 1994. In between assignments, Michael had tours of duty around the world including in Italy, Singapore, and Kuwait.

Michael retired from the military as a Master Sergeant after 20 years of distinguished service, receiving numerous awards and medals including Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. He then began the next chapter of his career as a fresh recruit for the Alaska State Troopers. After nearly two decades of dedicated service throughout the State of Alaska, Michael retired as an investigator for the Troopers in July of 2017 and moved to Las Vegas with his wife, daughter, and mother-in-law.

Michael made the most of his years in retirement with endless rounds of golf, poker, bowling, Vegas concerts, family road trips in the RV and other trips and cruises around the world, as well as hosting many gatherings and celebrations in their North Las Vegas home.

Always the first to lend a helping hand to everyone, folks depended on Michael as a public servant, trusted colleague, neighbor, confidant, friend, and mentor. But most importantly Michael was proud to be a dedicated husband and father to his wife and kids -- and loving pet parent to many dogs and cats over the years.