Michael Thomas Hyde

Michael—known to some as Mike—but mostly known as Michael Hyde (full name) was born on March 20, 1970, in Maine, USA, but spent most of his life in Oxnard.

He is survived by his three sisters: Claudia, Maria, and Nicole, who was also his devoted caretaker through his final days. He also leaves behind four nieces and two grandnieces, three nephews and grandnephews, and his beloved border collie, Duke.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Yvette and Samuel., and his older sister, Debbie.

Despite a sometimes tough exterior, Michael was a true softie at heart—a loyal son, brother, and friend. He worked at Home Depot for many years, gaining home improvement skills he often used around the house. He had a gift for working with his hands and a mechanical mind that could fix just about anything. He enjoyed his work until his health declined and he could no longer continue.

Michael faced ongoing health struggles for years. Like his mother before him, he lived with muscular dystrophy, which eventually limited his mobility. Ultimately, it was colon cancer that took his life.

An avid hunter, Michael could talk endlessly about knives, guns, and gear. He loved shooting, cleaning, and packing firearms—and more than anything, he loved to talk. He was a natural storyteller, always ready with a joke, a tease, or a vivid tale. If he liked you, you could count on being the target of his playful teasing. His wit was quick, his stories captivating, and his loyalty unwavering.

Michael also had a deep love for animals—especially dogs. He spent years training dogs for hunting and found great joy in that work. He was a skilled cook, especially when it came to barbecuing meats, connecting him to his family’s Southern roots. He loved plants, gardening, talking about food, and setting up a fishing reel—even if he didn’t fish all that often. And if you were lucky, you got to witness his karaoke performances—he loved to ham it up.

As the only brother among four sisters, Michael became an expert at teasing his sisters, helping them sharpen their own wit to give it right back. He was fiercely devoted to his family and gave up much of his adult life to care for his father, alongside his best friend and sister, Nicole.

Michael’s storytelling was legendary. One of his favorite phrases—delivered in his Southern drawl—was “I’ll tell you what...” He was a practical joker, a dependable designated driver, and someone who saved more than a few lives by being there when it mattered. Even in his final days, his humor shone through. In his last 24 hours, he was cracking jokes again and greeting loved ones with a smile which had been so missed. Though weary, he playfully greeted someone with, “What’s up, pimp?”—a moment that reminded everyone his sense of humor was still very much alive. Michael was deeply loved and surrounded by friends and family until the very end.

He chose to be cremated, and in lieu of a formal funeral, there will be a celebration of life BBQ this summer. Friends and family are welcome to attend. Please contact Nicole for more information.