Michael Acosta Amaya

Michael (Mike) Acosta Amaya, age 65, of Yuma, Arizona passed away on Saturday, March 26 2022. Michael was born September 14, 1956 in Yuma, AZ. at the old Yuma County Hospital that was located off of 26th Street and Avenue B.

As a child, he was always up to something and sometimes that got him into trouble. Other times he was just clowning around. Michael and his brothers were terror on heels and as they got older they were terror on wheels. They played different games growing up like Cowboys and Indians, Combat, and Superman/Batman. They would tie a towel around their necks and climb on top of the roof to jump off and yell "Superman!". The boys would use oleander bushes and shoot them at each other during their Cowboys and Indians games.

He attended CW McGraw Elementary, Gila Vista Jr. High, and then graduated from Kofa High School in 1975. He enjoyed playing football, basketball, and wrestling during his school years.

Michael was a Retired Veteran after 20 years of service in the U.S. Army. He met his beautiful wife Yong Ye Kim while stationed in Korea. They were married for 42 years. They had two beautiful daughters Judy and Rosa. He was employed at the Yuma Proving Grounds as a guard before retirement in 2017 and became a tata in 2018. He also gave his life to Christ 10 weeks prior to his passing, which we are grateful for.

Michael enjoyed time alone with his family and a select number of friends. His hobbies included fishing, shooting guns, rolling cigarettes, and picking on his loved ones. He had a generous heart, willing and wanting to help his family and friends.

He was survived by his wife, Yong Ye Amaya, 2 children, Judy Amaya and Rosa (Jeff) Bevington and 1 grandchild, Dorian Logan Amaya. Also by his stepmother, Angelita Amaya, Brothers and sisters: Ernesto Laguna, Alice Laguna, David Laguna, Tommy Amaya, Ronald (Sally) Amaya, Mercedes (Keith) Brandt, Joe Amaya, and many other family members that loved and cared for Michael. He was preceded in death by his father, Tomas Games Amaya, Mother Marian Acosta Amaya, Brothers Danny, Richard, and Eddie Amaya and Henry Hernandez.

Michael was laid to rest in Desert Lawn Memorial Park, 1415 South First Avenue, Yuma, Arizona 85364; Garden of Meditation Extension; Section: A, Lot: 15, Grave: 1.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsonmortuaryyuma.com for the Amaya family.