Mike was a awesome guy! The last time I saw Mike was 1980 but he used to come over to my brother and Mike's apartment in 1980 in Susanville. He was a stud baseball player and he hung out at our apartment a lot. Mike's 2nd year at Lassen I wasn't there but the Manager of our team Greg Bouchard got Mike a baseball scholarship at Northridege, the same college Greg went too. Greg never saw Mike again either. We were talking about Mike yesterday! 5-11-22. What a great guy and I know my brother and Greg still have pics of Mike! Ironically I work for our Manager Greg in Montana. Sure miss Mike!
Mike was a awesome guy! The last time I saw Mike was 1980 but he used to come over to my brother and Mike's apartment in 1980 in Susanville. He was a stud baseball player and he hung out at our apartment a lot. Mike's 2nd year at Lassen I wasn't there but the Manager of our team Greg Bouchard got Mike a baseball scholarship at Northridege, the same college Greg went too. Greg never saw Mike again either. We were talking about Mike yesterday! 5-11-22. What a great guy and I know my brother and Greg still have pics of Mike! Ironically I work for our Manager Greg in Montana. Sure miss Mike!
So sorry to hear the passing of Mike. Mike and I both caught for the baseball team at Northridge and we ( the team ) were just inducted into the hall of fame at CSUN. I would just like to say the team missed Mike very much just a couple of weeks ago as most of us were gathered to relive old times. Boy, how 34 years just flies by. Even though we were competing for the same job, I was always pulling for Mike to do well because when he did well .... you get the picture. In my humble opinion we won the championship mainly because of your son Mike. I'm so sorry for your loss and just would like you to know that his team was thinking about him.
Mike C.
Remembering Mike and all the great fun we had up in Crestview, on Somerset! I remember a ring I had that he wanted ( for some reason) and he chased me and chased me until he caught me and then sat on me.....and took it from me! Haha!! I also remember throwing foil balls in the air for hours to see the bats dive down.....football in the street and playing till late at night. It was a great street to grow up on. Such a great family......and just want you to know, he will never be forgotten! Love you Ellison family!
Jennifer Caouette
Growing up Mike was just like one of my little brothers, I only had two of them but I always felt like I had at least 10 of them including Mike, he tormented and teased me just like my brothers. He was always around and I think mom scolded him a time or two also. He has been missed and is always in our hearts and thoughts. Cynthia Morr
I am so sorry to just now be finding out about Mike's passing. My heart is truly broken. Thank you Carol for keeping Mike's memory alive in all of our hearts. Although some of us no longer live in Lompoc, Lompoc will always live in us! Mike and I grew up together from the age of 7 all the way till we graduated in 1977. Many of my memories of Mike go back to growing up on Somerset Place with Arlene Downs and so many others in our neighborhood. We would play together from the time the sun came up till the bats came out and we would throw foil balls at them (not sure what we thought we were accomplishing, but we had a blast). When I think of Mike, my heart smiles. He was such a blessing in my life, nothing but wonderful memories.
I begin 2009 with a heavy heart, sadden that I was unaware of Mike's passing. Although Mike is no longer with us, I'm certain that he is smiling down on us with his beautiful smile! God Bless Mike Ellison who has touched us all, God has a special Angel by His side.
Love to all,
Sue VanAllen (Gordon)
I told this story at the Memorial on Saturday and promised to post a picture of my hubby Dwight Kirkland with his Mike Ellie doo!
The first year we were married 1979. I kept commenting to my hunk of a man Dwight that I thought he would look great with a perm - kind of like Mike Ellison. Mike looked pretty good so I thought Dwight would too! So I finally talked him into it and this is what it looked like!
He decided to get rid of it asap!
Good try though DK!
The funny thing is that I've never known Dwight to want to emulate anyone except Mike Ellison! What a tribute to Mike!
It is so wierd to see all these people that I went to school with on here. Stacey, Jean, Linda my long time dear friend. Jimbo, Chris. Itis so wonderful to see that he had so many friends who loved him. I do remember him as a jokster, and a definite ladies man,big wonderful smile!It has been so many years since I have seen all of you, but it is so good to see you on here! God Bless Mike's famly and all of you 77 class members. I do not havewonderful memories I can share like some of you, but I will always remember you Mike, you are home now and I look forward to seeing you in heaven someday. I have been married to the same wonderful man for 25 years and have 3 grown beautiful daughters
Cyndi Hopkins Leigh
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE AWESOME MEMORIES ALL OF OUR CLASS OF 77 WERE EMAILING TO EACH OTHER BEFORE THIS SITE WAS CREATED.
What an amazing group of friends Mike had in this little ole town of Lompoc!
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From Sandy White (Ellison), Mike's little sis:
Carol, thank you for getting the word out. It has been wonderful reading stories about Mike. He was my hero, my big brother who always tried to protect me. Its weird I have Just perfect memories of him, even though I know he struggled with things I guess I was Just young enough when the accident happened that he stayed perfect to me. My son Glen looks a lot like him, and he reminds me of Mike all the time. It makes me so proud but also scares me(strong willed).
Mike was still funny and still a womanizer even on his last day, he would kiss the nurses hands and give them that smile,. There were about 12 nurses that came to the funeral that day with great stories about mike. But what they all had in common to say about him was his smile and that he made each one of them feel special. One of the nurses could not even walk into his room after he passed It was just to hard to think that there mikey would not be there, that's what they called him. Maybe to make sense of this or to find a blessing through this Is he really made those nurses happy, they have such a hard job taking care of the older patients and mike would make them laugh and tease them, another story a nurse told was that she just got her hair cut short and came in to Mikes room and he pointed at her and shook his head and made a face and she said you don't like it? he said no! everyone just laughed. When I would go to see him It was very hard but very good, we cried a lot because when I looked into his eyes, he was still there, and we would just cry, and then we would start to tell stories and we would all laugh together.
well I will go for now thanks again for your support
Sandy
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From Linda Wertman:
oh my gosh, I just got back an hour ago from Tahoe, Reno, Oregon and Chico, and we stopped in Susanville on the trip and I was telling Stuart how I would like to find Mike and try to see him, I talked to him for about a half hour about some of my adventures with Mike and what a great guy he was and how sweet he always was to me....I can't believe it, I know he was gone from us years ago, but I always thought that I would see him again someday...I at least knew he was alive and there was always hope that somehow someday we could all be together again. I know in my heart I will see him again, but somehow that is not giving me any comfort right now. That was the second time I was in Susanville and thought of trying to look him up...I wish I would have...regrets are so hard to live with, I have a pit in my stomach, but I have to believe it was God's will, because I will always remember Mike strong, handsome and funny, I went to see him in the hospital after the accident happened but in my mind I will always remember him with that wonderful sexy smile.
I am sure I have some great pictures of Mike, if it's not too late I will try to find them. Willie, Chris and Jimbo Mike loved you guys and you had such a strong bond, you are all blessed to have each other and I know it feels like there is a hole in your heart but Mike is still there, he will always be there, in all of our hearts and minds, he lives there where he has lived all these years.
Love you all, take care and be safe.... Linda R. Wertman
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From Arlene Downs:
Oh you guys, I sat here and read each one of your e-mails and my heart feels so blessed and lucky to have friends like you. I sat here and cried thinking of that wonderful guy we all knew. All I can think of is his great big smile, bless his heart. I remember growing up right down the street from him up in Crestview and a bunch of us would get together and play hide and seek at night. There honestly was no smile like his and I will miss him dearly. I wanted to go see him so bad when we were there for the reunion. He is in better hands now and definitely not suffering and I’m sure he can see all of us now more than he could before and will be partying right along side us. I am so glad he’s not suffering anymore, that just wasn’t fair for him to suffer all those years. I really loved that big guy and I have missed him so much during the years.
I love you guys and give yourselves all a big hug and stay safe! It’s so hard to go home after leaving Lompoc cause that really is “Home”. I swear it takes me a couple weeks to snap out of it when I leave there. Hopefully we can get together soon because you guys are the best!
Love you all, Arlene
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From Greg Wilson:
To all, I spoke with Dave Ellison tonight and we had just a great chat, It was good to hear from him. We spoke of old days, and more of Mikes final days. I just can't seem to find the words to type it all down. Dave and Jean had Mike cremated and placed on their family plot next to his sister Cathy. The location is at West wood cemetery about 25 miles north of Susanville Calif. All arraignments are not complete as yet. Dave has a special head stone being made and should be installed about 9/21/07. I'm asking everyone to take a look at your photo albums and see if you have some pictures of Mike that we would all like to see in a small memorial booklet. And maybe a short story or some words. Anna and I will work on the material received. Stacey, Thank you so much for all your kind words, I took all of them to heart. Jean, you too, Thank you so much, I'm touched. Carol,,,,,,,, I don't know what to say. I cant find the words. Your email was beautiful, so much love and compassion...........I'll be ok Carol, Just real tough right now. Holy mackerel, Thank you for your strength. My love to all of you, Greg
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From Stacey Foss (Cook):
Mike was my 4th grade square dance partner and I will always remember his gigantic smile. He is resting in peace now, I'm sure it was very frustrating for him living day to day in his condition and we need to rejoice that he is no longer here possibly suffering. Even though he will be missed by many. I don't find it ironic that Mike passed away right after our class reunion it was GOD'S timing and GOD'S plan. There is no doubt that the Class of 1977 has a very wonderful connection and special friendship with each other. You can feel true love and deep caring from each and everyone. We are all entering a time in our life where we don't know if today might be our last or if we will ever see each other ever again, atleast here on earth.
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From Jean McCauley (Valencia):
Hi Greg, I am so sorry to hear the sad news of Mike’s passing. Mike was always bigger than life to me; always smiling and so handsome with his black wavy hair. After I read your email I stayed home while my husband took the kids to a movie. I cautiously opened our jr. high yearbooks and looked at all our pictures. At first I had a lump in my throat but as I read the inscriptions and looked at our young, sweet, innocent faces I remembered how happy and hopeful we were. Most of the inscriptions were the same. Stay cool; good luck with so and so; hope we’re in class together next year; etc. Soon, I found myself laughing at the multiple misspelled writings of “to a nice gril” and fond memories quickly returned. When I met my husband about 15 years ago he asked me about my life in Lompoc. To this day he always says I had a “Norman Rockwell upbringing” unlike many other people. Well, he was right. Lompoc was classic. Although right now if feels like the worst of times, I hope your heart will heal knowing you had the best of times.
God bless you now and always, Jean Valencia McCauley
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from Greg Wilson:
My best man in my wedding with Ogy has moved on. My heart is broken, O my heart is broken. Willie
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From Stacey Foss (Cook):
Hi Chris, Thanks for sending out the e-mail and I sent it on to my friend Liz Smith. Remember her? She was my best friend in our freshman year before she had to move. I remember many fun times at the municipal pool with Mike and I will be sure and send a card to his family.The story about the chocolate chip cookies put a smile on my face. Mike was a great guy and I remember the two of you were always together making everyone laugh. It was really good to see you and Shawn, at the reunion. I pray that everyone live there life like it was the last, with forgiveness, family and friends, meaning, happiness, and spirituality. Finding God will bring you such fulfillment. To Mike's Best Buddies, I pray that you wont be too sad, just remember all the great times you had and that will bring a smile. Remember, Mike was a very happy guy before his accident, and wouldn't want you to be unhappy, we will see him again someday, perhaps very soon. Mike's life and death has a purpose and that is to perhaps in a round about way bring each and every one of our "Buddies" to seek God. I'm sending my love and hugs to each of you and pray for your lives to be happy. God Bless, Love your Friend, Stacey
P.S. Please call me if anyone needs anything, 805-686-2813
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From Chris O'Gorman:
Hello Everyone,
After Jimbo's email this morning I called Mike Ellison's dad. Mike's health had been deteriorating for the past six or seven years. Last week he had a major seizure, and just stopped breathing. David and Jean would love to hear from everyone who knew Mike. I could tell they really want to know that we all remember him.
Please take a few moments and send a card or letter. Mike was my best friend. We spent more time together than we did with our own families. He was the first kid I met when we moved into the Crestview neighborhood. The first thing Mike did on the first day I met him, was try to do a pull-up on the towel rack of my parent's bathroom. He pulled the whole thing out of the wall. My dad was not at first too happy with my new friend, this kid who would destroy our house, but my whole family grew to love him, especially my mom. She would buy Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies every week at the grocery store. She thought my brother and sister and I loved them because the bag would only last a week. We hated them, but Mike would eat a bag a week. When I finally admitted to my mom where cookies were going, did she stop buying them? Nope, they were always there for him, even long after we grew up and moved away.
Please tell anyone you think might need to know and be sure to have them send something to Dave and Jean.
Sincerely, Christopher O'Gorman
