Dr. Michael (Mike) John Lust

Dr. Michael (Mike) John Lust, DVM, age 79, passed away on August 26th, 2019 just shy of his 80th birthday. Born on September 5th, 1939 in Fort Lewis, Washington, Mike was the second son of Carl and Arta (James) Lust. Mike grew up with his brother Jim, enjoying a child’s military life as his family was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska and Arlington, Virginia. They later moved to Oakesdale, Washington where Mike graduated from Oakesdale High School in 1957.

Mike attended Washington State University from 1957 to 1965, where he received a Doctorate Degree from WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. While there he met and married Sara (Sally) Harris. His tenure at Washington State also led him hand raising the University’s last live cougar mascot, “Butch,” from a cub, in the horse barn on the property where they lived. Like most “Cougs,” Mike had a memorable stay during his time at WSU.

The couple moved to Yakima, Washington shortly after the completion of Mike’s veterinary education, where they had two sons, Ken and Bryan. Mike soon began his veterinary career and for the next 40+ years he worked tirelessly to better the lives of animals both large and small and provide for his family in the greater Yakima Valley. Early on, there probably wasn’t a backyard horse or cow in Gleed, Selah, the Nile, Yakima or West Valley that at some time Mike hadn’t laid his hands on. During his career, he had the opportunity to work on not only dogs and cats, but also cows, horses, bears, elephants, monkeys, snakes, birds and even turtles. Mike proudly served as the Vice President of the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association for 3 years and as its President for a year and a half. He also served 4 additional years during his appointment to the Washington State Veterinary Board of Governors. Mike’s last veterinary focus was the building and start-up of the Summitview Cowiche Veterinary Clinic in Cowiche. He later turned over the reins to his eldest son as the facility continued to grow and it was time for him to do a little more recreation.

In addition to his professional career, Mike was a farmer. On most mornings, lunch hours, evenings and weekends he was to be found with his brother Jim on “The Farm” in Cowiche. It was a huge part of his life, and he took great pride in looking out his windows at the acres below, or breaking over Summitview and looking into “his” Cowiche Valley. He’d continually find “bargains” at local equipment auctions since the farm “needed it” and some of his purchases were actually useful. If it ever broke, Mike could fix it. From a dog’s leg to a diesel tractor, Mike could find a way to make it work again. Something he passed on to his youngest son.

In his free time, what little there was, Mike obtained his open-water diving certification and his recreational pilots license. He tried to enjoy both hobbies as time allowed. He also enjoyed snow skiing with his family but it later gave way to his napping in the lodge while his family skied. He was an avid motorcycle rider, acquiring his first bike in 1971 and then upgrading regularly until his health got in the way.

As is sometimes the case, Mike was presented with an opportunity to reinvent himself after life had thrown him some unplanned events. He met Lynne Milford, and they became life partners of 20+ years before she lost a hard-fought battle with cancer. They shared many of the same interests and hobbies. They loved to travel. They spent many of their winters in Arizona and their summers in Yakima so Mike could stay involved with farm-related activities.

Mike is survived by his two sons Kenneth James Lust (Traci Lust), and Bryan Carl Lust (Tanya Petrie), and his three grandchildren, Delaney Lust, Peyton Lust and Neve Petrie. He is also survived by his sister Julie (Lust) Kelley, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of his Life will be held Saturday, September 14th, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at his home at 50 Country Lane, Yakima, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike’s memory may be made to the Cougar Family Endowment Scholarship Fund, c/o Washington State University Foundation, PO Box 641927, Pullman, WA, 99164-1927, or to the Cowiche Canyon and Conservancy, PO Box 877, Yakima, WA 98907.

The family would like to acknowledge and give a special thanks to the numerous caregivers that assisted Mike during times of need over the last several years. With the help of this awesome team, he was able to remain in his own home until almost the very end. You treated him like he was part of your own family, and this meant the world to him and to us. Thank you.