Michael Harrison McCandless

Mike grew up in Redondo Beach and Palos Verdes enjoying music, the beach, springboard diving and good times with family, friends and church. He sang in church and school choirs and in recent years rejoined vocal music at his church in Indian Wells. Mike was also a competitive springboard diver in high school and college years as well as a diving coach and a high dive performer at Marineland of the Pacific.

Mike always felt the call of God in his life. He returned to graduate school at Fuller Theological Seminary and then Bethel Seminary earning a Master of Divinity in Hebrew and Greek. At the time of his death Mike had been involved in Kairos Prison Ministry and had decided to pursue Baptist ordination to more fully answer his call to Christian ministry.

Mike was enthusiastic about many things: genealogy, cooking, music, hiking, naval war history and much more. But mostly he was thrilled to be father to his son David whom he loved with all his heart.

Michael was predeceased by his father, Harrison C. McCandless, M.D. He is survived by his son David Mitchell McCandless, his mother Barbara McCandless, brothers Bob (Nancy) McCandless and Rick (Kathy) McCandless, sister Linda (Jeff) Courchaine, nieces, nephews, aunt, cousins and friends.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at Rice Mortuary Chapel from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.

A private entombment will be held at Pacific Crest Cemetery.

A memorial service will be held at Southwest Community Church in Indian Wells on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 11:00 A.M.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in Mike's name be made to Kairos Prison Ministry, PO Box 276, Imperial, CA 92251.