Sept. 21, 1947 — June 1, 2011

Mike Flowers, husband, father, grandfather, Son of Texas, born-again Northern Californian, dancer, and friend to all who knew him, passed from this life peacefully at Woodland Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, in Woodland. His loving wife Kathy, daughters Michelle and Nicole and son Adam were at his side as he entered the next phase of his journey down the Trail.

Mike was born Michael Wayne Flowers in Ft. Worth, Texas, on Sept. 21, 1947. His mother Betty and father Bill raised him and his younger sister Marsha in the Meadowbrook neighborhood of Fort Worth.

Mike was an active boy, excelling in football, baseball and track and field events as well as numerous elected positions in student government at Meadowbrook Middle School and Eastern Hills High School where he made lifelong friendships that last to this day. In the summer before his senior year in high school, Mike and his family moved to Davis. At Davis High School, he continued his participation in football, track and field and student government. He formed new friendships and established roots in the city he came to love and would eventually call his home.

Mike attended Sacramento City College and Sacramento State University where he continued his involvement in student government. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in social science with a minor in criminal justice, he enlisted in the Army Reserves as a Combat Engineer. While in the Reserves, he met Kathy Amstrup, the sister of his cousin Ray’s fiancée Kris. They fell madly in love and were married five months later on March 29, 1970. They had a daughter Michelle and son Adam and lived first in Oakland and for a short time in Orinda.

In 1978, a new job took them back to Davis, the town that he had come to love. For the next 20 years, he was vice president of ADCO Lumber Sales, a business he ran with his father Bill. Mike was an avid and talented golfer, an affinity that he acquired from his father, who at one point had a scratch handicap. His first love and passion, however, was his family, and he made this his first priority. He was a beloved fixture at his children’s many sporting events, as well as his daughter Michelle’s Chico State basketball games where she was an Academic All-American and his son’s Jazz Choir concerts and tours and his opera performances. In 1997, he began selling real estate for Coldwell-Banker/Doug Arnold Real Estate in Davis. ADCO Lumber Sales was sold in 1999 and Mike sold homes to the people of Davis for the rest of his life.

Our sweet Mike was preceded in death by his mother Betty, father Bill, and stepmother Tawana. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy, and her family; daughter Michelle and her fiancé Craig Wilson; son Adam and his wife Nicole; grandchildren Emily and Evan; sister Marsha; and the loving Harvison family of Texas who are the children of his beloved stepmother Tawana. He also is survived by his “Family of the Heart” — all of his friends and colleagues from Fort Worth to Davis and all parts in between who have received and returned the love of this wonderful man. May God bless you all.

In accordance with Mike’s wishes, there will be a party honoring his life on July 8 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Stonegate Club, 919 Lake Blvd. in Davis. For details, visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mikeflowers or call his son Adam at (415) 242-1675.

The family wishes to thank those healthcare professionals that gave Mike care and kindness in his last days. Mike wished that in-lieu of flowers, any remembrances be made to Caring Bridge (http://www.caringbridge.org/donate).

After a lifetime of hard work, playing with his kids and grandkids, dancing with his sweetheart and making all those around him feel special and loved, it is time to head on down the next trail, Pardner. Your love never ends. As Mike loved to say, “Never, ever, resist a generous impulse.” Until we see you again, we love you, Dad.

Comments

comments