Final Salute

Gerald (Jerry) A. Michel passed away at Memorial Hospital on September 3, 2024, at age 73.

Jerry was born in Robinsdale, Minnesota on December 8, 1950, to Alvin Michel and Darlene Eccless. Jerry grew up spending every weekend and summer at their family cabin on Nixon Lake filling his childhood memories with fishing alongside his dad, brothers, and uncles. Jerry graduated from Anoka High School in 1968. After graduation Jerry enlisted in the Navy and spent 4 years as a Seabee during the Vietnam War.

After the Navy Jerry made his way to Colorado Springs where he met his wife, Nancy McMahan. Jerry and Nancy moved to Washington where Jerry started farming with his father-in-law and brother-in-law. Jerry had a natural affinity for farming and developed a deep satisfaction for the work. In 1989 Jerry started Patience 1 Inc in Othello, WA. The family bench-grafted over 80% of their apple crops in their garage and planted 80 acres of orchard.

In 2000, Jerry and Nancy moved to their current home in the Nile area. Here Jerry and Nancy raised their three grandsons where Jerry taught them his love for the outdoors and mountains. Jerry was an avid hunter and fisherman. Throughout the years Jerry fished in numerous bass tournaments around the PNW. Jerry also had a unique and creative eye which led him to start his own custom log furniture company from his home. During the later years Jerry loved tending to his flowers, gardening, and barbequing for his family.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Nancy (McMahan) Michel, his two children, Jonathan Michel, Sr. and Heather Michel, and his three grandsons, Jonathan (JJ) Michel Jr., Trey Michel, and Ethan Michel. His brother Randy Michel, sister, Connie (Joel) Rother, and brother-in-law Alan (Kris) McMahan, along with his two nephews and five nieces. He is preceded by his parents, Alvin and Darlene Michel, brother, Kenneth Michel, and father-in-law, Robert A. McMahan.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 11:00am, in the garden at Brookside Funeral Home (500 W. Prospect, Moxee, WA). In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to Nile-Cliffdell Firefighters Assocation or Nile Women’s Club sent in care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936) who is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.

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