Newspaper obituary: The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona) Tuesday 27 April 2010

With permission to print, the following passage was presented by Mike's sister, Betty, at his memorial service.

Butterflies and Blackberries

Memories truly are the threads on a patchwork quilt we call our lives – memories of Mike down thru the years and all the adventures we had. From the time I was so little he handled the roll as Big Brother with care. We were also close enough in age that we were often best playmates. When we lived on Mayflower, I remember all the 4^th of July parades we won first place with the costumes Mom always hand sewed. Once I was the Statue of Liberty and he was a soldier pulling me in a little red wagon. Another time we were The Spirit of ’76 with Nancy and I in tri-corner hats and, to his delight, Mike’s head was in a bloody bandage – a real soldier.

I remember him helping me up to ride Bimbo – the neighborhood St Bernard- saddle and all. I even remember, though still in diapers, feeling bad that I had destroyed his favorite cowboy wallpaper.

As we got older – 1^st grade- we moved out to Weldge Lane and a great house for adventures. Mom let Mike and I wander and roam the fields – partners in crime. How many frogs can you fit into a glass milk jug? How many blackberries can you eat? Mom thought she would have enough for 2 pies, but by the time we got back, there was only enough for one. “Where’s the rest of the berries?” There was innocent denial from our juice stained little mouths. Half the berries never made it into our pails.

He also taught me how to catch butterflies. Mom made us nets and we set off like Livingston to hunt big game – Tiger Swallow Tails and Red Admirals. I’ll never forget the feel of his hand on my shoulder as he explained how it was all done. It was these same fields that in winter time we went sled riding. He told me “Be sure to hit the bump in the middle of the hill. It’ll make you go up in the air! But be sure to stop at the bottom so you don’t slide into the bull’s pen.” Say what?!

 He taught me to swing on vines and Daddy told us all about the plants in the woods. Mike and I found the mysterious “bone deposit”. We were sure something evil had happened there, although it was probably only where some butcher had left bones many years ago. We went on to hike thru the woods to the golf course and picked up all the balls that had fallen in the woods. We took them home and washed them and sold them back to the proshop. With the money earned we rode off to the bowling alley, where he showed me how to do a nice 2 handed shove of the ball down the lane. It didn’t matter if I hit pins or not. It was the fun of doing it with Mike.

And I’m sure we all remember sliding in the foundation mud next door after the rain and having Mom hose us down later. That was one of the most fun days ever! And one time he even let me beat the boys to win King of the Hill!

Then we moved to California and he still looked after all of us. One of my first memories was at Sunset Cliffs. He and I were standing defiant on one of the rocks taunting the sea to splash us. Sure enough a giant wave hit, he stood strong but I was washed off tumbling over rock and sand. He raced after and snatched me from what I was sure was Neptune’s jaws.

I remember his first guitar at Christmas and Dad teaching him to play. It wasn’t long before he was on to an electric one with amp. His first songs were Green Onions, Ghost Riders in the Sky and the infamous “Wipeout”. He let me stay at his 8^th grade party in the backyard. He played for his friends and then he taught me to dance, and later to surf. And he never made me feel like a “pain to be around”. Even at school he broke his hand on Barry Julian’s jaw protecting other little kids Barry had been picking on. He knew he was the only other guy big enough to take him on and win.

In high school our lives began to separate as it should be. In Michigan his lifelong love affair of cars took over. He saved pics of cars the way other guys saved pics of girls. I also remember how  proud I was that my brother played in a well known band, The Chancellors. They played on Friday nights at Teen Center. That band got him thru college at MSU and a reputation with the girls.

I on the other hand had mysteriously gotten pregnant in high school. With Mike I found open arms, a shoulder to cry on and a safe haven from a sea of emotions. God bless you for that gift!

He left for Calif. about the time I married. My buddy had moved on. Even when he was back in Scottsdale, times and circumstances got in the way and all the sepia toned memories of childhood were tucked away. I missed him terribly over the years when we didn’t hear from him and enjoyed the brief visits when he would blow thru town.

For me it was a blessing when he moved back 2 years ago. The old memories woke from slumber to flood my heart. Even though it was a tough time for him, family rallied round and we laughed and loved as if time hadn’t passed.

While I haven’t reconciled the speed that we lost you, I will always remember the big brother who looked after me and taught me and loved me. So breathe deep and know that you will always be in our hearts. I will be waiting for the day when once again we catch butterflies together. Blessings until that day.

 Betty Jo (Gilliam) Daily

 April 2010

Okemos related: Betty Jo (Gilliam) Daily; Pat Daily; Eugene "Butch" Brown