Michael Louis Courtney

Michael Louis Courtney died peacefully at his home in Ft. Collins, Colorado, with his devoted wife by his side on December 6, 2020. at the age of 73 after an eight-year bout with multiple physical challenges, surgeries and illnesses. He fought a long, valiant battle and is now pain free and at peace with his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Michael was born on November 1, 1947, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, to Vernor and Rachel (Surber) Courtney. He was a graduate of Blackwell High School and received his Associates Degree from Northern Oklahoma College. He also engaged in Business studies at Southern Methodist University. After moving to Dallas, Texas, Michael began working for Southwestern Bell until his retirement 23 years later. After retirement, he worked for various notable telecommunications companies. You cannot keep a good man down.

In his early 30s, a freak accidental fall left Michael with a devastating traumatic brain injury, doctors giving him only a 3% chance of survival. After weeks in a coma, he emerged to take on a years worth of grueling physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Defying all odds, he was then able to return to his normal life and work routines.

On June 15th, 1991, he married the love of his life, Phyllis Green Gimlin. Together, they dedicated much of their married life to being active in the church. Michael was an active member of the Mesquite Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Mesquite, Texas) and then the Harmony Presbyterian Church in Ft. Collins, serving as an Elder, on various committees and singing in the choir. By far, his favorite activity was the Thursday morning Men’s Prayer Breakfast, an event he rarely missed. He spent a lifetime in service to Christ and in Christian Fellowship.

As a youth, Michael was a Boy Scout, high school football player and wrestler, Jr. And Sr. Lifesaving instructor, leading to him becoming an avid outdoorsman. Michael cherished his Blackwell High school Class of 1965 and attended many events and reunions with them over the last 50 years. He enjoyed skiing, hiking, backpacking, camping, sailing and had a special place in his heart for his sailboat Wildfire. As a scuba diver, a highlight was diving the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. An enthusiast for guns and knives, Michael loved living in Colorado, where he made his home for the last 20 years. He parlayed his love of the outdoors into volunteering where he donated his time to Hurricane Katrina cleanup and for the American Red Cross helping with disaster relief in the Eastern Coastal states. You could also find him as a worship volunteer in nursing homes. A significant event was accompanying his father on an Honor Flight trip for WWII veterans to visit war memorials in Washington, D.C., and be honored for their service.

Friends and loved ones remember Michael as being witty, fun-loving, outgoing, giving, a prankster, friendly, a hard worker and positive. His two priorities were God and Family. Michael so loved his family and was devoted to his friends and most recently a wonderful, joyful light in his life, their 2-year-old rescued terrier, Merlot.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Phyllis Courtney; sisters Melinda Muck (Marty) of Tulsa, OK and Patti Williams (Jim) of Owasso, OK; Stepdaughters Angela Gimlin (Jeff Ward) of Nashville, TN and Amy Albracht (Jason) of Austin, TX; Brother-in-law Dennis Green (Dominique) of Phoenix, AZ; mother-in-law Ima Green of Wynnewood, OK; and the joys of his life, grandchildren Hunter and Hadley Albracht of Austin, TX. He was especially fond of his nieces and nephews Sarah Fletcher, Julia Rhie, Allison Williams, Courtney Muck, Brad Muck, Jennifer Russell and Matthew Williams. Although Michael’s marriage to Diane Widmer in the 1970s was brief they have remained great friends over the years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Pat Milliken.

Due to COVID-19, no service will be held at this time with a Celebration of Life scheduled for June 2021 in Ft. Collins.

The family would like to express and send a special thank you to healthcare provider Gabe Martinez, the team at Pathways Hospice Care, the many doctors that treated Michael, including Dr. Eric Young, Dr. John Ray and most especially his family care physician of 19 years, Dr. Scott Schaffer, who took such an interest in Michael and provided amazing care and support to both him and Phyllis during his many lengthy medical challenges.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to Harmony Presbyterian Church (harmonypres.com) or Pathways Hospice (pathways-care.org.)