In Loving Memory of Michael A. Tully: Passed Away Three Years Ago This Month in a Motorcycle Accident
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Michael A. Tully
Michael Anthony Tully was born in Los Angeles on April 17, 1950. He passed away tragically on July 19, 2020 in a motorcycle accident, volunteering his time to help clean up the highway with the Hog Chapter he belonged to.
He attended Marion Elementary School and then Cantwell High School in Montebello, CA. He played football for Cantwell where he met his lifelong friend, George Belarde.
He later met Jo Ann, his future bride and her daughter, Leslie. They decided to hit the road together and eventually ended up in Humboldt County. They married in 1978 and had their son, Morgan. Michael continued his education here at Humboldt State University. He also worked for Admissions and Records and Center Arts at HSU for 5 years after he graduated in 1989. He later worked at the Probation Dept. and retired in 2017.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Stella and Michael Tully, our daughter, Leslie, who sadly passed away 10 months before Michael.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 yrs, Jo Ann, his son Morgan and his fiancee Jennifer Blum, as well as his grandchildren, Malia and Jonah.
This week starts our 3rd year without Michael. I started out, writing an obit for him right after he passed…but it didn’t feel right, just putting down his life in schools he attended and his work history. That info seemed to be trivial to who he was. He used to say that he was a ‘human being.’ That he was. A very caring, thoughtful and kind human being. I found many certificates of job achievements for different jobs he held, all of which I had never seen before. These accomplishments, though important, did not define him. I always felt that his greatest accomplishments were his ability to happily give of his time and energy to help others. He volunteered to help with charity events, fundraisers, he served on various boards, played Santa for various organizations, and participated in Relay for Life for many, many years. He was the block captain of our neighborhood and organized 30 yrs. of annual block parties. He also donated 11 gallons of blood in his lifetime.
Most importantly, he gave his time and love to his family. His family also included close neighbors and lifelong friends.
After his passing I found a paper that held his 3 wishes on it. It read:
- Visit his resting spot among the Sequoia Sempervirens where the living creations of God reach for the heavens and grace is returned in sun beams of light and sky.
- If you are able, become an organ and blood donor.
- Volunteer your time to good causes of the planet and our fellow brothers and sisters.
Everyday before he left the house he would say, “SMILE!” Then he would flash that big smile of his. It didn’t matter if he was anticipating a hard day or not, he always left the house with a big smile.
Seeing
Miracles
In
Life
Everyday
That was Michael, seeing miracles in life everyday.
Hard as this is to be without him, and our daughter, I know he would want our family to live our lives in the best way possible, be happy and “SMILE”.
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Thank you for the remembreance. I was fortunate to know Mike through our avenues of work. He was a valuable team player and always brought a postive energy to the meetings or other gatherings wher our paths crossed.
I still think of him. Fly free Mike.
May his memory keep bringing that SMILE to your life, bittersweet as it may be.
So beautifully written jo ann…I love that you waited to remember him…so much more of him shoned through…and it made me know that who i saw as Mike as a person were all true..i love that Aaron had pops as he could look up to and for….it was his blessing and I so love the the ending…it so made me smile knowing you were blessed with such an awesome man…May you continue to smile in your heard and mind…remembering such an awesome man and genuine smile he had…You were blessed..prayers for you …?? I am blessed to have known him?
I went to work with Mike when I was about 25 years old. I got in trouble over something trivial and Mike and his friend were kind of strangers to me but they came to me in a mischievous manner and offered to buy me lunch because they were generally kind and good natured.
I remember spending a lot of time with Mike, great person, and finally introducing him and his buddy to my wife. She thought it was hilarious I had fallen in with mischievous men 20 years my senior. Mike was a great man who had a massive impact on his community. If we all did half as much the world would be a better place.
This is so beautiful, Jo Ann. Thank you for writing and sharing it. Having only come to know him through your stories, this makes me feel like I do even more and, it’s wonderful, and it’s clear that Michael was too.
That was a Beautiful memorial. Well written. Motor Mike I’m sure he is proud on how it was composed. My Heart and Love goes out to you Jo and the Kids. We will see each other Again I’m sure of it.