On Friday, June 15th 2012, Michael John “MJ” Houser was killed on his Harley returning home from a banquet for Habitat for Humanity.
He was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia on February 19, 1956 and the world will never be the same.
MJ rodeo’d and logged very young in life. He was a bedbugger for Aero Mayflower Transit for 10 years as well as Graebel Van Lines for 20 years.
He worked the York Bar beginning in May 2010 and started with Habitat for Humanity in January 2011.
MJ Dearly loved his home community of York. Yorkfest was one of his favorite times of the year as well as the 4th of July. He was trained in pyrotechnics and enjoyed setting off fireworks in York as well as other places all over the country.
He loved his places of worship, Canyon Ferry Baptist, Set Free and Living Hope Fellowship. He worked SEP camp this past year and was looking forward to 2012 on the water with all the kids. He drove his boat and jet skis, making smiles upon the water.
He helped out more people that we will ever know. He loved his work with habitat. He had his pilot license for many years and served in the Air Force from 1974 to 1978. He traveled the country with a few good friends who he called brothers for the rest of his life.
He has lived a full life, a rich life. Loved his God and Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and will be truly missed by a lot of us.
God Speed, my friend.
A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, June 22, 2012 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church, 3384 Canyon Ferry Rd, East Helena, with a reception to follow the service at the church. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family condolences.
Anna Salini says
MJ was the most cheerful person had a always ready smile and a helping hand for everyone. He is so going to be missed. Not to see him anymore. RIP my friend. You are sorely missed. You are with God and the Angels now.
Bill Burlison says
MJ was a friend to all he met, a mentor to many, and simply a great human being.
He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten!
Bob & Shawna Talles says
Although we knew MJ for only a short period of time, we know that he was a kind, loving, and giving man. His faith was amazing and I will miss our visits in the yard after his walks up the road to retrieve the mail. I find myself looking out the window waiting for him to ride by on the way to his house. I will miss that familiar wave. Our thoughts & prayers extended to his family, friends, & anyone that may have had the honor of knowing MJ. God Bless You!
Carolyn Cheyka says
MJ — You will be so missed by so many people whose lives you have touched and those that you have made better persons because we knew you…. you will not be forgotten.
Cathy Westbrook says
Was so saddened to hear the news that we lost such a beloved friend. I will miss you Michael John. May God hold you in his loving hand.
Love
Cathy
Charlotte Houser says
In God’s care… Until we meet again…
Cheryl Shepard & Scott Joyner says
So, so very sad to hear the news. Will miss his cheery conversation and great smile.
Chris Maziarz says
Although I only knew you a short time I was truely blessed to have known you.
Chuck & Louise Fischer says
The fourth of July will be a lot quieter and so will New Years. The silence will remind us of MJ. We will miss MJ always…Your neighbors and friends.
Dave and Carla VanderGiessen says
MJ was a good friend and an awesome neighbor to Carla and I. He was very giving of himself and his belongings. He is greatly missed by us. God Bless you MJ.
David Cox says
MJ was a friend and mentor and will be sorely missed.
DAWN SERVI-ZARDA says
Enjoyed my time working with you, you will be missed
Debbie Wood says
Michael John….When hearing the news that you had passed I was flooded with loss….as the days passed i have been flooded with memories….black bear jerkey..serving Bambi on Christmas morning…a deck of cards from somewhere behind Mt. Rushmore…and just enjoying memories of you. I think what I will miss most is knowing that you are no longer a phone call away. I am sure that Mom was up there waiting for you with opened arms….rest in peace…..Debbie
Derek jacobson says
Rest in peace my friend
Gail Green says
Just met Mike six months ago but there is a treasure in my heart that was not there before……….see you again Mike!
Gloria Johnson says
MJ love lift and lived it to the fullest. He will be missed my many but will always be remembered with fond memories.
Greg Cutlip says
I am very sad that we have lost our great friend MJ .
You brought laughter,anger,and challenge to all of us but I am very proud to know your next trip will be your best.
JEANIE OLIVER says
Jeff and Kathy Reed says
We will miss MJ very much. He always had kind words to say about everyone and a great smile that lit up a room!
Jeff Widener says
You will be forever missed MJ.
Jeni Gregg says
Godspeed, M.J.
John Westbrook says
realy gona miss ya bud ,he was good guy the last time we talked he said he was happy and less is realy more!
his path realy seemed to be on track….
Juile Rader says
I was out at the motocross track by Lakeside when MJ died. I want you to know that there were over 150 people who were sad to lose a companion biker. Many did not know MJ but we all felt the loss and our thoughts went out to your family.
Julie Eggebrecht says
My deepest sympathy to MJ’s family and friends. He’s riding free now on the highways in heaven! He was one of a kind and I am glad to have known him, he will be missed.
Kerri Duncan says
When I get where I’m going,
On the far side of the sky,
The first thing I’m gonna do
Is spread my wing and fly.
Im gonna land beside a lion,
And run my fingers through his mane.
Or I might find out what its like,
To ride a drop of rain
Yeah when I get where I’m goin,
There’ll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years.
And I’ll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I’m goin,
Don’t cry for me down here
I’m gonna walk with my grand daddy.
And he’ll match me step for step.
And I’ll tell him how I missed him
Every minute sence he left,
Then I’ll hug his neck.
So much pain and so much darkness,
In this world we stumble through.
All these questions I can’t answer,
And so much work to do
But when I get where I’m goin,
And I see my maker’s face,
I’ll stand forever in the light,
Of his amazing Grace.
Yeah when I get where I’m goin,
There’ll be only happy tears.
I will love and have no fear.
Larry Smith and Kristen Harris says
I always had a deep respect for MJ, he taught me a lot about our business and how to run my business.
R.I.P MJ, you will be missed.
Linda Knight says
I knew MJ when he was living on the houseboats in Seattle. A great person, always friendly and helpful. I will miss him very much.
Lyn says
Truly saddened by this untimely loss to our world. MJ was one to brighten a persons day just by being around. I cherish having the privilege of calling him a friend.
Margo and Bill Hoare says
We take for granted that certain people will always be around; MJ was one of them. Now so quickly he has gone. MJ every time we think of you we will hear your great laugh. You will be sorely missed in York forever.
MaryAnn Vivirito says
To my friend,
Your road is now endless and the sky is limitless.
Melanie Konya says
No words can express the sadness of MJ’s passing. Peace to family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
Pat & Carol Tice says
Our thoughts & prayers go out to MJ’s family. The man never batted an eyelash twice to help a fellow driver. We will truly miss MJ and his sense of humor.
Pat & Carol
Paul Holtz says
Rinne Houser Powers says
MJ…we had a good thing for a short time. I loved you, and I would have stayed with you forever if you just would have been truthful and faithful. We would have had a great life together. Now, I’m left with such tangled feelings. God, no one ever hurt me as badly as you did, MJ! I’m sad for your passing when it seems you were turning things around. I’m angry for you having ruined me for future trusting relationships. Grief, rage, love, hate, anger and sadness. They are all warring within me right now. But above all, I know you are in God’s loving arms now, and I pray that whatever pain in your childhood, that made you what you were, is gone for you. I pray you are at peace, and we will see each other again. God bless, MJ. And love.
Sandy Owens says
My thoughts and prayers are with you God be with you
Sheryl Maziarz says
Our loss is truly Heaven’s gain.
SueAnn Smith Baker says
I and many will miss you MJ… God Speed and RIP my friend….
Terry Bruso says
Safe travels, my friend.
Theresa Lillico says
MJ, I was thinking about you last week. How i missed your humor and your ear for listening. Wish i wouldve called and said hey, I will forever regret this. I will miss your laugh, your jokes, your humor. I will miss you. I hope if we get a choice and can choose a gaurdian angel to help guide us I would love for it to be you. Think you can handle that for me? Take care friend. I will see you again. Love you
Theresa
Valerie Smith says
Michael John, When I learned that you had gone home to Heaven, deep sadness and emptiness flooded in. You were a true friend, mentor, a listening ear, and so much more. I will miss that contagious laugh and that amazing smile. I still seem to think that when I get to work, I’m going to walk through the door, to the sound of your favorite Christian radio station, the sound of your voice, the sight of you helping customers, and the aroma of your ridiculously strong coffee. Strangely, I find myself craving some of that “MJ coffee” right now! I don’t see this becoming any easier for any of us, friends and family alike. We find comfort in knowing that one day, we will all be reunited, on the golden streets of Heaven! I know you’re up there right now, watching over all of us! You will be forever missed by all who knew you MJ, you have really touched a lot of lives! With love, Valerie and Whitney
Farewell
Our hearts are filled with sadness
As we say one last goodbye
Because you’re no longer here with us
And God hasn’t told us why
Your life was taken far too soon
You had so much more to share
We had no time to say farewell
And tell you that we care
You were one of the most selfless men
That we had the chance to know
And now we’ll pay it forward
And watch your kindness grow
So as we bid you our last farewell
We wish you all the best
And in your life in Heaven
We pray, in peace you’ll rest.
Written for and dedicated to Michael John (MJ) Houser
by Valerie Smith
Lisa Dail McCammon says
Michael John, I just saw the news and I am so sad! I always thought I’d see you again someday! I remember riding (the ghost) somewhere and everyone just staring..we couldn’t figure it out until the cops pulled us over for no helmets! Lol. You got me back in touch with my family and then checked in to make sure I was alright. We only talked a few times in the last 30 plus years but you have never been forgotten! You should have … 🙂
Cheryl Lynn Rogers Osborne says
OMG! I am heartbroken. I was thinking about you last night and thought I would look you up. This is not what I expected to find!!! Words cannot fully express the emotions that I am going through right now. The world lost an AMAZING, WONDERFUL, KIND, SHARING, GENTLE, HARDWORKING man and heaven gained all of that and MORE. Lesson learned on my end … Don’t let so many years go by in a friendship!!! Until we meet again, my sweet, Michael!!! XOXO
Maggee says
God bless beloved Michael John.
Words cannot express what was shared between us.
Love always and in all ways. Forever.
Maggee
Susan dawson says
So sorry to hear about this so many years later. You and Charlotte and I got to pack and move your mother after years looking for her. I’m glad I was apart of this experience for you and will never forget our 3 day road trip to Kansas. Was talking to some of the old gang and found out you passed. Way to young mj way to young. Would of loved to of met up with you and Charlotte and had some laughs. Peace be with you my old friend. Susan Dawson