Michael Ray Comer

March 7, 1947 – May 13 2014

Michael Ray Comer was born March 7, 1947. He always said he was born in a barn….turns out he actually was in Marietta Oklahoma. He was the youngest and had four older sisters. When he was 2 he moved to Home Gardens California with his parents Joy and Granville his sisters Karen, Kathy, Kris and Marsha. While growing up in Home Gardens he made many friends including one in particular Paul Weekley. Paul was Michael’s lifelong best pal. They shared countless cases of beer, political conversations, and many Ram games.

As Michael was growing up his parents purchased a 1957 Oldsmobile and that is when his passion for cars was born. Around the time Michael was 14 years of age he discovered his love of music. He became friends with the Brown Brothers and formed a trio where Michael played the bass. They performed at different local bars even though he was not old enough to be in them. There were many times when he had to hide his face when the authorities walked in. At one time there was an audition for an event that included several popular singers from the rock and roll era, Frankie Avalon, Dick and Dee Dee to name a few. The brothers were unable to make it to the audition; Michael auditioned alone and secured the gig for the group. He had a wonderful time performing with the singers he so admired and was so excited to be asked to attend their afterhour’s party with them. It was at this time that he had the opportunity to go on tour and play backup for Dale Robertson in La Fayette, Louisiana. He would tell stories of riding around in the convertible cars with Dale’s entourage. Following this exciting summer Michael returned to school and graduated from Corona High in 1965.

Immediately following high school he enlisted in the Marine Corps, the toughest branch of military he could find. During his one tour of duty he fought in Vietnam and achieved the rank of Sergeant before discharge. When Michael returned from service he briefly lived with his parents before moving out with his friend Greg Seaman. Before long he started driving for Owl Rock Ready Mix. This gave him the opportunity to purchase his first home on Blackpine Drive in Corona where he lived for 5 years overloading his home with his car collection. His job with Owl Rock Ready Mix lead him to his successful career as a General and Concrete Contractor. Michael R Comer Construction Inc kept Michael very busy in the Inland Empire for 40 plus years. Along with his concrete construction he built spec homes with his business partner Jerry Doak. During the many years of building he choose to build a spec home on Hoffa Lane not realizing this was going to become the home of his dreams.

As the car collection kept growing there was a need to build a shop to house this collection which was growing at a rapid pace. Along the way he met a pretty young thing on a blind date set up by his housekeeper. In time Miguel and Mare-lee-mare, as they referred to each other, fell in love and decided to get married on March 10th 1990. Marilyn brought with her a young son Rob who quickly became a son to Michael. They shared a loving relationship where Michael was able to teach and mentor him about work ethics, loyalty and construction skills, which have helped Rob have a successful career of his own in the construction industry. It was with this teaching and the love of family which has made Rob the man he is today. Michael cherished the moment he walked Natalie, his future daughter in-law, down the aisle to unite the two of them in marriage, in which was the same place where he married Marilyn. Michael and Marilyn shared 24 years of a beautiful marriage. During this time they became best friends and business partners. They shared time in the shop listening to music while Michael worked on his cars to get ready for the many road trips they took with the Oldsmobile Club.

Michael had his love for his collection of cars and as their marriage grew they found they shared a passion for music. The music came full circle and completed his life in the end. Michael loved to go Karaokeing where he could perform in front of a crowd, meet some great new friends and serenade the love of his life.

Pets were an important part of their family. Michael referred to his dogs and shop cats as his Buddy’s and enjoyed teaching the dogs different tricks, fetching the morning paper was trick #1. He always had company in the shop with his buddies following as his shadow.

Michael loved his family and knew that they loved him so very much. He will be greatly missed and we all look forward to being with God one day as he is now.