A huge hole is left in the hearts of all his family and many friends.
Predeceased by mother Molly(Mary) Setter
He is survived by his wife Glenda, stepfather and loving role model to Deanna, Darla and Morgan, beloved grandfather to Hannah, Hunter, Mason and Maddox.
Daughter Jody Graham and cherished granddaughters Olivia and Isabella.
Brother Bruce, wife Vickie, children Sherri Greg and their families.
Mike was born in Red Deer and grew up on a farm near Vulcan Alberta
He Joined the military at 16 and at one period was stationed in Germany where he truly relished the food and varieties of beer, and later moving on to be an officer for the department of fisheries in BC while spending many weekends as a race car enthusiast at the quarter mile track with his favorite Dodge Dart. We were visiting one time at Spring Lake and were in the yard when across the road an engine fired up with a roar. Mike got that grin and said you got to see this, away we went to look at the neighbours Duster that was rumbling away. This brought up many stories of the racing days.
In the early 90s he moved to Fort McMurray and worked at Syncrude as a heavy equipment operator for over 30 years. You could tell he liked his job by the endless stories of the different huge equipment he was able to run. Of which only seeing in person did justice to. We all are still reminded of his former career in the form of gloves, flash lights, utility knives and other trinkets that followed him home
In those years he must have walked, hunted and fished the entire area and could remember each trail, creek and animal taken. Upon retiring I went to Fort Mac with him to retrieve his belongings and as we travelled he was continually pointing out trails and areas that him and Glenda camped at or he hunted.
Mike truly loved the outdoors, on one occasion we were having Christmas at our house in Sanctuary and I had gone out before guests showed to find some pine bows for the smell of the season since we had an artificial tree. While doing this I found 2 live mule deer with their horns locked. I headed home called a few neighbours to see if we could separate them at which time Mike and Glenda showed up. Well we managed to rope the pair and when we had them down on the ground and in goes Mike, dress clothes and shoes grabbing the horns and pulling them apart. Afterwards saying this was one of the best Christmas ever.
In 2016 it was time to retire and spend time enjoying the acreage that he loved. Watching the wildlife and birds with a bit of pest control it was such a happy place to be.
Many trips to BC to visit with Jody Olivia and Isabella the best ice cream beach walks and wonderful dinners! Including adventures at Jasper and teaching Jody and the girls fishing, target shooting a love of nature, adventures and cherished memories. Mike greatly enjoyed these trips to the island with the family, plus views and sounds of the sea lions.
Over the years he loved to spend time outdoors weather hunting with Jordan, Clay, Dallas or harvest help at Marks with gun in hand, because you never know what may pop up. So many trips to the gun store checking out the latest Cabelas treasures not to mention numerous hours reloading shells for the next excursion. I remember one of the last outings in Edmonton at Cabelas, I was looking for some camping equipment, when finished found Mike exactly where I thought at the gun counter. He had this short Defender gun in his grasp, I asked what in the hell he was going to do with that? His reply with a grin was “for when I go bear hunting again”. Jordy soon learned that he had to watch what mentioned to Mike what shells or other gun related products he was looking for as the next thing would get a call that Mike had gotten that product at one of his gun shops and was ready for Jordy to pickup. The gesture was always appreciated but Mike would by in bulk as we all know, which was generally more than what was needed. Anyone need 50 pounds of lead shot? .
Mike enjoyed camping and taught gopher snaring to Hannah, Carter and Carson at “Old MacDonalds farm” (didn’t see that in the brochure). Many camp fires and endless smores with Hannah, Hunter, Carson, Carter, Rilyn and Madison deep sea fishing with Deanna, even with a sketchy tour in Jamaica. Mike was always up for anything that involved fishing and hunting.
Mike loved shooting gophers, and always showed up with an armoury of guns and ammo. One trip down to Pontex where gophers were running crazy at a customers farm we got to the field and proceeded to lay waste which eventually got boring. So then it got competitive and shooting for distance, doubles and other challenges. Well Mike dug out this prized rifle and was zoning in on a target quite away out, I asked what he was aiming at to which he grinned and said “one that’s too far for your .22, as he lined up adjusted, lined up again and continued to focus I leveled my .22 took a guess as to how far to shoot above his target and pulled the trigger, whap the target flopped over. Mike put down his gun looked at me and with pout and a grin said “you shot my favorite Gopher” which came up in conversation regularly afterward.
Cooking for everyone especially while camping was a highlight, when Mike started hauling out his extensive array of cooking equipment we just stood back in awe. He probably had 3-4 grills and each had a job, I had one but I packed away quicker.
I recall a time years ago when Mike, Glenda, Jody and maybe Deana came to our cabin at Greig lake for a few days. As we were walking around the cabin Mike spies this tree and immediately says we have to bring it down as it was dead. As he’s getting the chain saw I ask how I could help, Mikes reply was don’t worry Jody and I have this and away they went. A short time later the saw stopped and all that was left was log lengths, which was quite a job as they couldn’t lay the tree down and had brought it down in pieces standing up.
Mike was also an avid snowmobiler weather sled derby’s in Kelvington, trail riding at Greig lake or hitting the mountains in Fernie, Kimberley and our favorite Sicamous where it was a constant job keeping track of “Junior” (Al) who kept wondering off.
One of the last times we went to Sicamous we invited my nephew Darwin and his buddy Justin. Mike didn’t get much riding in because he would follow those two around and laugh continually as they would try anything get stuck and roll their sleds down the hill and do it again. He called them the “Jack Russels”.
I feel Mike was like a great Pyrenees guard dog with his family as the flock. Maybe not visible but always watching protecting in the background.
Mike played a big part in our lives and those around him, there are more memories that can and will be shared.
Mike was large in presence and truly in heart.
Finally, as you see Mike had numerous nicknames for people and things, weather it be Old Snort, Kijiji King or Brat.
His most favorite “Boss of me”.
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COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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