It doesn’t get any easier…. I have been thinking about you a lot lately, Michael. I have a new job now and want to tell you all about it. I know that you would have some wonderful wisdom to impart, and I miss that.
I was downtown the other day for a conference for my new job. Over the lunch hour I thought to myself, “I should run over to Mike’s work and ask him out to lunch. We could grab some Indian food and eat at the Foundation Gardens!” And then I remembered, nope, I can’t go and do that.
Wow! I miss you buddy! I’m looking forward to catching up with you when we get to hang out again in heaven. It won’t be long, I’m sure of it!

Michael, I’m so bummed that I can’t speak with you right now. I’m getting married again, to Becca Conditt. I would have asked you to be my best man because you’re my closest friend. In your place, I asked Shelley. She said she would do it, so that’s cool! Just wanted to honor you because you’re an amazing friend…thanks for the memories!

Over the past years I noticed how Michael lived his life boldly through his actions and personal conversations. I went through a time of doubt and despair after my brother passed away in 2015. At that time, I honestly found Michael's abundant approach initially to be in contradiction and abrasive to the darkness I found myself in as I was surrounded with question and doubt. However, I now consider him as having had an influential role in guiding me towards a deeper understanding of God's love despite our questions and pain. Someday I'm going to let him know.

Michael was a person who had to extreme sides, out the talking about what happened and then to be on his own when he needed time for himself. I enjoyed being around him at both times and saw the real person on both ends. He has been missed.

We recently returned to an old mining town with a spot by the creek where Michael gave a devotional for G4G. I remember his story about needing to make a family rule about not touching the dog's anus because of transgression by a child. Perfect illustration of why God added the law! Missed you both last summer.

I have been thinking of Michael today and all the ways he added joy to my life and the lives of so many others with his humor and no-nonsense way of addressing issues.

So grateful for Michael's friendship and for his wonderful family that continues to add joy to my life. Much love to you all today.

When I was 21, 30 years ago, I went to Korea for a year. Now I'm reflecting on that very rich year and other years of travel since. Michael died this year at the age of 51 and I wanted to share a few memories of him when we were together in Korea as English teachers and students missionaries. One is of my most memorable day in Korea spending a day on a small island (Udo) off the coast of Cheju and helping the Haenyo (women divers) bring in the harvested seaweed. We had started in the morning climbing sunrise peak and then went to a ginseng infused bath house followed by a ferry ride over to Udo and time with friends. The white coral beaches were in contrast to the black jagged lava outcroppings that were the foundation of the island.

Michael was an amazing friend to everyone he met. His dimples crooked smile could charm the most skeptical person out there. His generosity was boundless. He would help at the drop of a hat, loan you his truck or give you a couple hours of ‘sweat equity’ without thinking twice. I miss him deeply and will continue to do so until I see him in heaven. He won’t be hard to find. Michael will have his hammock hitched to the Tree of Life, strumming his guitar and telling stories.

I can still hear Michael's voice leading the youth in singing around the campfire or just getting us organized. He had a gift for leading youth with fun. I hope this link works. I don't have the original anymore. https://fb.watch/a87qYul2HW/

It was hard to choose one story to tell about Mike because there are so many good stories about him.

My husband, Byron, and I moved into our house on S. 30th St., December of 1999. Mike and Shelly were our next door neighbors. Our daughter, Amaris, Sophia and another neighbor girl named Beverly were playmates and friends. Hot summer days were spent in the Jaquez's backyard under the shade of two giant oak trees. The girls loved swinging on the swings, jumping on the trampoline, and making up games to play.

One summer, Mike and Shelly decided to do some landscape work in their backyard. On Craigslist, they found a good price on sod. They bought the sod to put in an area of their backyard that got part sun and shade. Before they laid the sod, they did all of the necessary prep work to that area; weeding, raking, leveling the ground, fertilizing, etc. After they laid the sod, they watered religiously twice a day for ten days; once in the early morning and once in the late afternoon. Mike roped off the sodded area and told all of the children, and Coco, that this area was not to be played on. I went over on day seven to take a look at the sod. It was a beautiful green space. The sod was growing in really well, no brown spots at all. A sight to be seen!!

The tenth day of the sod was a very hot day but the girls still played all day outside under the oak trees. Like clock work, in the late afternoon, the water sprinkler was turned on to water the sod. Amaris and I had to leave to run a quick errand, but I promised her that when we got back she could continue playing with Sophia and Beverly. We were only gone for 30 minutes, at the most. When we pulled into our driveway, Mike was in his driveway, garden sprayer in hand. The water turned on to jet, full blast. He was spraying down Sophia and Beverly. Apparently the girls decided not to heed Mike's directive of staying off the sod. The girls were caked in mud from heat to toe. The only places on their bodies that weren't covered in mud were their eyes and teeth!  Mike greeted Amaris and I with a smile. He said “Hey guys!! Amaris you missed all the fun!!” He turned back to the girls and continued spraying. Every few minutes you could hear him saying “Turn to your left” and “ Your other left Sophia/Bev”.

Mike definitely had the right to be very upset. I'm guessing that he probably was, but he took it all in stride. Just another day in the life of a Dad. He sprayed down the girls, cleaned up the mess, and made plans to tackle the backyard another day.

Mike was a great Dad, loving husband, ferociously funny friend, and a soldier for Christ. He will be greatly missed.

Mike was a force of nature, sweet person and great friend. He adopted Colin and I like stray pups and kept us out of (most) trouble. Wherever he was there was laughter and fun, even when his heart was breaking (way too often). His tiny car always had room for one more, just like his heart.

Many years passed between contacts, but you would never know by how he acted to anyone. A part of you always knew there was a place with Mike, just had to ask. The only regret I will carry is not staying in touch with him over the years. Only good would have come from it.

All of us have just a little less light in our lives with him gone, but we get to live an afterglow that few leave behind. Thank you Mike.

Mama- thanks for adopting his strays and always making us feel welcome. Hopefully you can read these and know how wonderful of a job you did with Mike. I'm sure his kids are even better and a joy to you. Please know our hearts break for you, no parent should have this pain.

During our Senior year at Campion we were at Union College for some sort of band function involving other SDA schools. We were rooming together on the 7th floor of Prescott and we may or may not have thought it was a good idea to ride the elevator down in our boxers while playing "Go Big Red" on trombones at some 2:00 o'clock in the AM. It wasn't until our band director, Dr. John Boyd, was awaiting at our door to tell us that may be a very bad idea. One of the many crazy things that may or may not have happend. 
Love you, brother. Rest easy. We will laugh again.

Our hearts and prayers are with you all on the loss of Michael. No words can ever express or provide the right voice to comfort you all. Know that our heavenly Father is with you providing his Spirit to comfort and strengthen you. On behalf of the faculty and staff of the School of Social & Behavioral Sciences at Andrews University we are with you always. We will see Michael soon when Christ returns in the glory of the Father.

I have so many wonderful memories with Michael, the "macho nacho" as he referred to himself. Michael playing the guitar to accompany singing at family worship, Mahoney weekend retreats, playing Rook (or other games) for hours, Sabbath afternoon discussions and rambles, showing up to help drywall our basement...the mental pictures come fast and furiously. Michael added fun and joy wherever he went with his larger-than-life personality, story-telling ability, and awesome sense of humor.

He had a phenomenal gift of teaching. For the last 20 years, he guest taught a college class session yearly for me on e-commerce and doing business on the web. The stories he told the class about the early days in web marketing were so interesting. I will never forget how he tricked the early search engines to show up #1 on the list whenever someone was looking for Tony Robbins motivational materials (which he was reselling at the time) by putting the name "Tony Robbins" in white text on a white background 10,000 times at the bottom of his webpage. So intelligent. 

Another way his teaching gift impressed me was in his ability to tell stories to help others understand a spiritual concept. So many times in our Bible study group, he would share a story that gave me deeper insight into the scriptures or God's character. Once we were discussing something God asked his people to do (or not to do) that seemed obvious, and the question arose, "Why would God need to spell that out?" Michael replied, "We never used to have the rule in our house, 'Don't poke the dog in the eye' until the kids came along and started doing it." His point that we need different things at different developmental stages spiritually, just as we do for physical development, has stayed with me.

Michael was best kind of friend: steady, encouraging, and always willing to lend a hand where needed. I have not yet come to the point where I can picture this life without him. Looking forward to resurrection morning.

Michael was such a great guy. I credit him with putting me on the path I am today. He really fought for me and supported me, first by giving me my first real job after college, helping me explore and grow, and trusting me to do the right thing and learn from my mistakes. His level-headedness in all situations is inspiring. I can’t overstate his significance in my life, and I’m sad I won’t be able to catch up with him again soon. He was and is a great man. “Tweet on, Bro!”

Micheal, Kevin Flowers, one of his friends and I went to the Broncos/Chiefs game in Kansas City. We were surrounded by red, but made our presence known in orange and blue. The Broncos were winning and I wanted to cheer loud, gloat, and trash talk a little. Micheal said "Here, sit in between me and Kevin and say whatever you want!! They (the other fans) won't be able to get to you!"

Michael was such a wonderful person. Funny, kind, and so full of joy. His face always lit up when he would see people. We were so lucky to know him and he will be deeply missed.

You will be missed. Working with you and seeing you around town always made my day. You were such a special person. Your positivity, energy and personality were contagious. I was lucky to have you in my life.

If ever one could make you smile
— it’s Michael
-He had more personality in one “amen” than most people have in a lifetime
—Love for his family— Shelley, Sophia, Nathan, David and his sweet mom, Linda bubbled out all over his face
—Energy! Joy! Enthusiasm! Family pride oozed from him
— Destination Heaven will be a happy reunion
— until then— goodbye

I remember Michael for the funny poems he wrote, especially the one he wrote for Pastor Keith Jacobson, although I can't remember the occasion! That was the first time I knew who he was.
His hearty "Amens" during sermons is another thing I will always remember, along with the "Mikie" children's stories he told in church. He will be greatly missed!

As another cousin said of his passing, "Family gatherings will never be the same without him." He brought joy to any room he was in. Kids loved him and grown ups too. So many memories…swimming pool chicken fights, waterskiing (or in Michael’s case attempting to waterski), card games, mission trip to the DR, and more. And his stories were the best… my favorite is his telling of a road trip that involved a needed bathroom break for a kid, and how his attempts at distraction using the rumble strips didn’t work. When I think of Michael, I can’t help but smile.

What’s a pirate’s favorite holiday? Arrrr-bor Day of course! That was one of the funny jokes that Michael Jaquez told. Michael approached me about 12 years ago asking if he could come and make an Arbor Day presentation to my second grade students at College View Academy. I was thrilled to accept the offer and Michael has come to my classroom every year since to help second graders learn about the history of Arbor Day and the importance of trees. It can be a challenge to talk to a bunch of wiggly second graders. However, Michael would happily come each year and hold everyone’s attention for 45 minutes with his energy, creative slide presentation, and silly tree jokes. During Covid when schools were doing online learning, Michael didn’t hesitate to come and share via Zoom! I am going to miss Michael and his special presentation about trees. But I am reminded of a special tree that is waiting in Heaven for us all…the Tree of Life. May we all continue to be faithful so we can meet Michael there and spend eternity together. It will be a Tree-mendous reunion for sure!

Our family has been blessed by Michael and Shelley and their willingness to help with anything and everything at church. I was lucky enough to have Michael’s help with puppets in many children’s programs at church. He wrote all of the scripts and made them funny. Sophia, Nathan and David were so helpful as well. But the thing about Michael that touched me the most was his constant encouragement of my kids. He would always stop us in church to just say what a good job Isaiah had done at something. He had my kids in Sabbath School and still had nice things to say. ;) He has inspired me to cheer people on, always. It means the world to me that he cared about my kids at church. That’s what church is about, supporting each other. It is hard to lose someone like that. But it makes the reality of heaven as our home more focused. Praying for that day to come soon.

Very few people could make me laugh the way Michael did . . . no matter how stressed or 'down' I was feeling, he could always make me smile or chuckle. He is a part of many fun college memories. Though I haven't seen or talked to him in years, just knowing he's gone takes some of the smile out of the world. My love and prayers go out to the whole family. Hugging you with my heart, Shelly!

Michael was an amazing person. I am grateful to have been lucky enough to have Shelley and Mike as my neighbors for over a decade. He brought joy to everyone he knew. Thank you for being you, Michael. We love you.

Follow up:
Here is how dad shared with me that my pet had died in 2nd grade. I was at camp and I got a letter from dad. It read "Dear Sophia, how is camp? I hope you are doing well ect....... p.s. Your favorite chicken is on the roof and we are trying to get him down."
Needless to say, the joke works.

Micheal Jaquez was a great father and funny guy. One of my favorite things about him was his ability to make us laugh. He had a favorite joke he used to tell all of us, and I want to share that with you.

A man left his cat with his brother while he went on vacation for a week. When he came back, he called his brother to see when he could pick the cat up. The brother hesitated, then said, "I'm so sorry, but while you were away, the cat died."
The man was very upset and yelled, "You know, you could have broken the news to me better than that. When I called today, you could have said he was on the roof and wouldn't come down. Then when I called the next day, you could have said that he had fallen off and the vet was working on patching him up. Then when I called the third day, you could have said he had passed away."

The brother thought about it and apologized.

"So how's Mom?" asked the man.

"She's on the roof and won't come down."