Michael Edmund Gainey

Mike was born on September 24, 1930, in the town of Bemidji, MN, in a log cabin built by his father. During his childhood, his family lived briefly in Detroit, MI, before settling on a small farm and orchard in Philomath, OR. He worked on the farm, sometimes before and after school, and graduated from Corvallis High School in 1949.

That summer, he moved to Owatonna, MN. Michael worked at Jostens and later drove a delivery truck in the Twin Cities area. In 1951, he was drafted into the Army and served two years. He was stationed at Camp Rucker, AL, and served his last six months in Germany.

After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1953, he started his career at the Oregon State Game Commission. It was also then that he met Shirley, and they were married on November 25, 1953, enjoying 62 years together.

While working for the Game Commission, now called the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), he was on the habitat crew. He worked throughout the Willamette Valley and western Oregon in the field planting grasses, hauling pheasants, or spending weeks in the Tillamook burn. He then moved to be a Fish Liberator, stocking fish in the rivers, streams, and remote lakes in the Cascades. In 1963, he moved to Portland to a new position as Automotive Coordinator. This later evolved into Purchasing Agent, writing specifications for a wide variety of vehicles and equipment. Between all three of his duties, he was able to travel most of the state of Oregon, something he enjoyed the most.

In June of 1965, Mike and Shirley adopted a son, Michael Jr. (Mick), and a few months later a daughter, Rose. They bought a house in Beaverton, OR, where they both lived their entire lives.

After working nearly 40 years with ODFW, Mike retired in 1992. Mike was active his entire life, enjoying fishing, hunting, camping, bowling, and traveling. A devoted husband and father, he enjoyed all of those activities with his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Ellen, wife Shirley, brother Hilary, sister Mary Patricia, sister Margaret (Peggy), brother Anthony (Tony), sister Roselle, and daughter Rose.

He is survived by his son Mick and his wife Elena, grandchildren Aline Vega and her husband Jason Berge of Beaverton, OR, Diana Vega of Seattle, WA, Michelle Gainey and great-grandson Elliott Berge of Beaverton, OR, and a host of relatives and friends.

Mike will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his strong work ethic, and his love for the outdoors.

Visitation will be held at Pegg Paxson & Springer Funeral Chapel, 4675 SW Watson Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97005, US, on June 29, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

A Committal Service will be held at Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE Mt Scott Blvd, Portland, OR 97086, on June 30, 2026, from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm.