Michael David "Mike" Anderson
Jan 20, 1967 - Aug 17, 2020
Posted by Ann Weber
|
STUMPFF FUNERAL HOME
BARTLESVILLE, WASHINGTON CO, OK
(permission granted)
In his
53 years of life he was a joy to everyone around him and had many
accomplishments in spite of his Down Syndrome condition.
He attended Bell Ringer School, Garfield Elementary School and Central
Junior High in Special Education classes, then was integrated into
regular classes at Bartlesville High School where he graduated in 1987.
He was active in Special Olympics most of his life, participating in
running, walking, swimming and bowling, and went to the International
Special Olympics Summer Games at Notre Dame University in 1987 where he
demonstrated his mastery of the butterfly stroke. He was also active in
People First and made several presentations in Oklahoma City to members
of the legislature and other government agencies.
Mike was active in People First, serving as an officer and making
speeches. He was also a member of Kiwanis and gave a presentation to the
members about people with disabilities. He spoke at the Governor’s
Conference on Developmental Disabilities. He was always ready to be
helpful to anyone and everyone whenever he could.
He moved into a group home operated by ARC Group Homes (now AbilityWorks
of Oklahoma) when he was 18, and that was his home until shortly before
his death. His best friends were his housemates and his staff. He loved
his staff like his parents. He was a Boy Scout and reached Eagle rank.
He loved to go to Camp Cherokee every summer. In his later years, he
loved attending Camp Barnabas in Missouri every summer for 9 years.
He had several jobs throughout his life, both with ARC Industries (now
AbilityWorks of Oklahoma), primarily in the ARC Thrift Shop, and in the
community.
Mike also loved to sing and act. He originated the role of Assistant Dog
Catcher in Children’s Music Theater’s production of Annie. He also had
an important role in Emil Malik’s movie “To the Wonder,” with Ben
Affleck. He was also a member of the ARC Singers, who gave concerts at
least twice a year and sang at various functions in Bartlesville.
Mike traveled extensively, both with his parents and with groups from
ARC Group Homes. He has visited Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Mexico,
Hawaii, Alaska, and several of the lower 48 states and Washington DC as
well as several Caribbean islands on various cruises. He also traveled
to Scotland and Ireland on his own on a group tour. He had always wanted
to visit them because of his Irish and Scottish ancestry.
Mike loved to read, watch TV, go to movies, dance and socialize. He was
an avid Star Trek fan from the beginning and became a Star Wars fan
later. He loved dogs, whether his own or someone else’s. He loved going
out to eat and attending the Broadway musicals in Tulsa with his parents
and his girlfriend, and always wanted the music from them on his iPod
afterward.
He is survived by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law Michele and
Ron Sevart of Issaquah, WA, his aunt Esther Adams of Escalon, CA, his
uncle and aunt Steve and Diane Anderson of Myrtle, MS, his nieces and
nephew, and many cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The
Journey Home, 900 N.E. Washington Blvd., Bartlesville, OK 74006or
AbilityWorks of Oklahoma, 501 S.W. Virginia, Bartlesville, Ok. 74003.
Graveside services will be held at 11 A.M. on Thursday, August 20, 2020
at the Memorial Park Cemetery with Mr. Mark Weeter officiating. Services
and interment are under the direction of the Stumpff Funeral Home &
Crematory.
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