Michael Joseph O'Day

Michael Joseph O’Day, of Victorville, California, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at Mercy Medical Center in Gilbert, Arizona due to complications resulting from a fall.

Michael is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Christine O’Day and his children Steve O’Day, Wendy O’Day, and David O’Day, step-children, Shawna Sherman, Scott Laban and Jennifer Werner. He is also survived by his sister, Maureen O’Day and 8 wonderful grandchildren.

Michael was born in Davenport, Iowa, in 1941, to Wallace and Berneice “Jorja” O’Day. As a teenager, Michael moved to Southern California, graduating from Lynwood High School in 1959. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree from the University of La Verne, and later his Master’s degree from the University of Southern California.

Michael joined the Covina Police Department at the age of 21, earned the rank of sergeant at 25, captain at 30 and became the youngest Police Chief in California at age 32. After retiring from the police department in 1984, Michael continued working as a Private Investigator performing extensive background checks on Police Chief candidates and other government employees throughout the state.

Family was extremely important to Michael. He was passionate about genealogy, and spent years investigating his family tree the old-fashioned way, tediously discovering documents in libraries and halls of records across the country before it was easier to find them through online services. He was proud to have discovered his original ancestor that came to America from England in 1634 was Robert Day, one of the original settlers of Hartford, CT.

Michael enjoyed his spare time working on crossword puzzles, watching the news and especially enjoyed visits with his children and grandchildren where he would challenge them to a game of cribbage and after winning he would always proclaim himself the “Grand Champion of the Universe”.

Michael O’Day was always a man to be proud of, who worked very hard, cared very much and was indeed the Grand Champion of our universe.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 28, for a 1:00 PM graveside service at Sunset Hills Memorial Park and a reception immediately following.

Address: 24000 Waalew Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307. Tel: (760) 208-1947

Memorial donations may be made in Michael’s name to the American Diabetes Association.