Michael Frank Feyes

My grandpa Michael Feyes was a first generation American. His parents came over from Hungry seeking the meaning behind the word ''Freedom.'' Mike and Elizabeth met in Ohio and had six wondeful children; Michael, Jim, Julius, Rose, Andrew, and Steve. My Grandpa Michael being the oldest was born in 1916. The family resided in Toledo, and it was here that my grandpa grew up learning the ways of American Culture. At Central Catholic High School my grandpa found tremendous excitement in learning the art of dance. He called it his ticket to woo women.

In 1937, at the age of 21, my grandpa joined the Navy. Attending a Navy Dance in San Diego my grandpa swept his wife Audrey away with his sly move of a famous waltz. The music was loud. A young woman awaited her fate. This was the night two lives would be changed forever. Audrey stood there across the room, my grandpa took notice, and nervously this sailor asked her to dance. As one dance turned into three, then into five, then into late night; time did not matter in the beat of two hearts. Audrey and Michael dated a short time before they were married in 1940.

While my grandpa was still serving in the Military, Audrey and Michael still found time to dance. In October, 1941 my grandpa and Audrey had their first child naming him Michael J. Spending just a few short weeks with his new family, my grandpa had to pack up and go the day he got the call. They spent the afternoon slow dancing.

The War started. In December my grandpa Michael Feyes was off to fight for the freedom his parents had come to find. He was aboard the USS Miantonomah when his ship was torpedoed by the enemy and sank. My grandpa miraculously survived, saving several of his comrades from drowning. His actions of warfare were noble earning him an honor of heroism and bravery. He was then promoted to be a Chief Warrant Officer and continued to fight both in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. My grandpa took his mind off the pressures of war by boxing, bowling, playing baseball, tennis, and writing letters to his wife and son.

Audrey's strength and unfailing love kept that sailor's heart beating. Because of that, they were both able to keep dancing. Life changed again for all of them after the Korean Conflict started. My grandpa Michael had to go once more and fight. The Korean War was not talked about much.

After his return Audrey and Michael found reason to dance once more in the fall of 1953 when their beautiful baby girl Debbie was born. The family permanently relocated to Seattle where my grandpa retired from the service in 1957 to be with his wife and children. A few years later Audrey became very sick and passed away in 1960, leaving behind two kids and a husband.

Losing Audrey was very difficult, but he felt close to her when he danced. He continued to dance throughout the rest of his life. He worked very hard at Boeing and tried to be the best grandpa, the best dad, and best brother he could. He offered plenty of advice on how to save you never know when you will live through another depression and how to still enjoy life. I loved hearing about his travels to Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Hungry and Canada. Because of him, I too have picked up world travel and danced with strangers.

He is survived by his children Michael and Debbie Feyes; four grandchildren, Shawn, Yoder, Kirsten, and Daisy; and his two brothers Andrew and Steve.

He felt love and knew love and on July 23rd we let him go dance with the Angles.

I will remember you Grandpa, Thanks for the Dance, I love you

Kirsten Blalock