Gary D. Michel

Gary D. Michel, age 72 of Maple Falls, Washington, passed away on Sunday, June 1 at Christian Health Care Center, Lynden, Washington.

Gary is survived by his spouse, Diane M. Michel; two daughters, Dannette M. Michel and Davita E. Fox, both of Sedro-Woolley, WA, and his sisters, Joanie Blakley of Coupeville, WA, Gina Michel of Los Angeles, CA and brother, Greg Michel of Spokane, WA. He also has 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Gary died from Alzheimer’s which began in 1997. He spent most all employment in a management position. Everyone loved working for and with him. His received numerous awards and achievements; Washington State Salesman of the Year 1974 (Powers Candy & Nut Company), Outstanding Young Men of America 1977, President Lincoln Heights PTA Spokane 1979, President El Cajon, CA Bobby Sox 1982, Instructor-Hotel Procedures-San Diego Mesa College 1984, Director of Skagit Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau Mount Vernon, WA 1985 and the founding Director of Skagit Valley Lodging Association Mount Vernon, WA 1985-1986.

He graduated from Central Valley High School, Spokane, WA in 1959. He was graduated from Montavilla Beauty School in Portland, OR in 1970 then received a degree in Business Administration from Spokane Falls College from 1975-1977. He was the SFCC ASB vice president (2 years), chairman SFCC activities board (2years), chairman of the SFCC Cultural Series (2 years), a delegate to the national NECAA convention, host to regional NECAA convention, and a delegate to CAPES regionals

He had a number of employers through the years; Lamplighter Inn Salem, OR, Holiday Inn, Portland, OR, Cosmopolitan Motor Hotel Portland, OR, Portland Hilton Hotel Prior to 1969, Beauticians Beauty Supply, Portland, OR 1970-1971, Du Bois Chemical Corporation, Portland, OR 1971, Powers Candy and Nut Company 1971-1975, Holiday Inn, Spokane, WA 1977-1978, Holiday Inn West, Spokane, WA 1978-1979, San Diego Mesa Community College (Instructor) Course: Front Office Procedures, Colonial Inn, La Jolla, CA, 1980-1983, Lodging Management Servicers Inc., West Hollywood, CA 1983, Execulodge, Salam, OR 1984-1985, Town & Country Motor Inn/Nendels Inn, Mount Vernon, WA 1985-1986, Nendels Inn, Everett, WA 1986-1989, Execulodge/Nendels Inn, The Dalles, OR 1989, Nendels Inn, Corvallis, OR 1989, Nendels Inn, Grand, Portland, OR 1989-1990, Nendels Inn, Everett, WA 1990, Nendels Corporation, Seattle, WA 1990-1992, Elks Lodge, Mount Vernon, WA 1992-1993, Days Inn, Mount Vernon, WA 1993-1994, Buzz Inn Steakhouse, Mount Vernon, WA 1995-1997, and Merrill Gardens, Monroe, WA 1997

His wife Diane said if she was to say just a few words describing him it would be…”One of the Good Guys”