Michael Arrieta

Michael Arrieta, 62, passed away on July 14, 2026. Born on January 27, 1964, in Newark, New Jersey, Michael was raised in New Jersey before moving to Texas at the age of fourteen. He lived in Bellaire, Texas, where he built a life marked by steady devotion, quiet strength, and a generosity of spirit that was felt in both ordinary moments and life’s greatest challenges.

Michael pursued his education with purpose and care. He graduated from the University Of Houston Downtown with a BA in Psychology and was working on his Master’s on Christian Counseling from Houston Christian University—an effort that reflected a faithful heart and a thoughtful desire to serve and support others with compassion.

A man of exceptional courage and unwavering commitment, Michael proudly served three years in the United States Marine Corps. Stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he deployed to Beirut, Lebanon, where he survived the devastating Marine barracks bombing on October 23, 1983—one of the deadliest attacks in Marine Corps history. During his military service, he traveled throughout the world in defense of his country. Though he rarely sought recognition for his service, Michael carried the discipline, resilience, and selfless dedication he learned as a Marine throughout every chapter of his life. His sacrifice and devotion to his fellow Marines and his country remained a source of quiet pride and lasting honor.

His work ethic and dedication also shaped his long-standing role as a business owner; he owned Exxtras Limousine for twenty five years in Bellaire,Texas, building his livelihood through hard work, reliability, and a selfless commitment to providing for those who depended on him.

On July 25, 1997, Michael married his loving wife, Juana C. Arrieta. Together, they lived in New Jersey and moved to Houston, Texas, raising their family in Bellaire, Texas. In the life they built, Michael’s devotion was constant—expressed in the ways he showed up, the ways he listened, and the ways he gave of himself. Even with a formal steadiness about him, there was also a warm humor that brought lightness to family life and comfort to those around him.

Michael found joy in simple, shared pleasures: watching movies, football, and baseball, and most of all spending time with his family. He also poured his time into his children’s lives, coaching them when they were younger in baseball, basketball, softball, soccer and football all the way through middle school on —an enduring reflection of his faithful presence, patient encouragement, and generous heart.

Michael is survived by his wife, Juana C. Arrieta; his son, John Michael Arrieta; his daughters, Amanda Nicole Arrieta and Isabella Marie Arrieta; his mother, Carmen Arrieta Weiss; his sister, Christine Dabney; his niece, Megan Dabney; and Rocky (“Puppy”).

He was preceded in death by his father, Miguel Arrieta, and his brother, Frank Arrieta.

Michael will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, proud Marine, faithful friend, and compassionate servant of others. Whether surviving the horrors of war, building a business, coaching his children’s teams, pursuing higher education, or courageously battling cancer for more than twenty years, he met every challenge with quiet strength, unwavering faith, and remarkable resilience. His legacy lives on through the family he cherished, the lives he touched, and the example he set of courage, perseverance, humility, and unconditional love. Though he will be deeply missed, his memory will forever remain in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.

Funeral Services for Michael Arrieta will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 10:45 a.m. at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, Texas 77038.