Fredrick Michael ‘Mike’ Metcalf, 66, a lifelong Sedro-Woolley resident, passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at the University of Washington Hospital in Seattle.
Mike was born on May 25, 1949 in Sedro-Woolley, the son of Fredrick & Muriel (Finsen) Metcalf. He was raised and attended school in Sedro-Woolley, graduating from S-WHS with the class of 1967. He earned an Associate Degree in Business from Skagit Valley College, transferring to Eastern Washington State University where he earned a Master’s Degree in Engineering. Upon graduation Mike returned to the Skagit Valley where he worked for Scott Paper and the DNR as a topographer/surveyor for several years. He then worked at the Texaco Oil Refinery as an Operator A in the Alki Unit SRU, retiring in 2008 after 27 years of service.
On September 10, 1989 Mike was united in marriage to Kathy Hubbard in Mount Vernon and they made their home in Sedro-Woolley.
Grandkids and family were first and foremost with Mike, but he was also an avid hunter, going on numerous deer, elk & moose hunts. He also enjoyed fishing, camping and his horses. Mike was a Master Hunter and a youth Firearm Safety Instructor.
Mike is survived by his wife, Kathy at the family home in Sedro-Woolley; his daughters and their husbands, Katie & Adrian Christofferson of Camano Island, Julie & Joe Huerta of Sedro-Woolley and Kellie Jo Love of Tacoma; 4 grandchildren, Skyler & Aleena Christofferson and Chloe & Hunter Huerta; his mother and step-father, Muriel & Charles Young of Sedro-Woolley; his sisters and their husbands, Nancy & Rob Davie and Fran & Terry Pitt of Sedro-Woolley and Linda & Joe Lindholm of Anacortes along with his nieces & nephew and their husbands, Tana and Erik Skaugrud, Lori and Jeff Beuse and Robbie Davie all of Sedro Woolley; 2 great nieces and 1great nephew, Kilee, Kassidee and Kyle Beuse. He is preceded in death by his father, Fredrick.
Most do not discuss what transpires at the moment of death. Mike needed to say no words as his family gathered around him with love and loss of heart. We noted he was able to open his eyes wide, which was difficult before, and search the room, studying all of us intently. Soon his eyes moved upward as he began to glance above our heads with a look of amazement on his face. The atmosphere of the room was flooded with warmth and peace. We knew the angels were present and Mike was watching their activity above our heads. At first I wanted him to stay with us and begged him to wait and come home to all his friends and family who loved him and wanted to say goodbye. I wanted him home. Then I realized he was already stepping into eternity because Jesus entered the room. We were in awe as we looked upon his face that transformed from sickness and death to glory and a look of wonder and amazement upon seeing his Jesus coming for him. He then took one last deep breath and left with a great big smile, eyes wide open shining with Love! A final message to his family that God received him into Glory. We were sad at our loss but yet happy, elated and smiling to have witnessed our loved one being carried into eternity. We witnessed his celebration of Life.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 8, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Inspire Church in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor James Wagner of Redding California officiating. Interment will be at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Skagit Valley Healing Rooms in memory of Mike. Arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share memories of Mike and sign the online guest register.
Saw Mike not to long ago, to him it didnt matter if you saw him last week or last year. He always had a smile & a big Hello…He was a truely a nice man of God.
My thoughts & prayer are with you Kathy
RIP Mike untell we meet again
I worked with Mike for years at the plant. He was a great guy. My condolences to his family.
Knowing that he is in a fantastic place gives me comfort. However, I will miss seeing his smiley face when he would show up at the Healing Rooms. He will be missed!
Muriel,Linda,Nancy,Fran and family, I was so sorry to hear of Mikes’s Passing and to know hes with our Lord. I have great memories of your family,and how Mike always made me laugh. Linda you and I were best friends in school and so sorry that we have lost touch. I will always love you all. Prayers are with you all. Love, Claudia Fore Marlow
Kathy, Katie, Julie, Kellie Jo and Family ~ I am so very sorry to hear that your love/Dad has gone home to Heaven. Mike was a wonderful man. Funny, kind and compassionate. The love he had for you, Kathy, was an inspiration. You could see the pride in his eyes whenever he was with any of you or speaking of you. Although it has been a good 12 years since I have seen him I will never forget his smile. I am sending you all much sympathy during this time. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and lifting you up to the Lord for comfort and peace.
Mike was my friend, I first met him when he was 16 years old. Over the years he walked in and out of my life at different times. I remember once he came to see me when he was going through a bad time in his life,I gave him a book called ;The Magic of believing. I had a new copy but he asked for the old one I had all marked up, he said later it really helped him.I bought a 1966 GMC pickup from he had restored along with his dad, it was the best looking pickup in the county. Mike was a mixture of many things, him and I shared a lot of good times. One thing that really stood out about Mike was his ability to bounce back no matter what life threw at him, and he was always smiling. I was deeply saddened by his death but I know for sure he went to heaven. R.I.P. my friend until we meet again.
My Dad,
Words cannot express how deeply we love & miss you, your laugh, smile, inappropriate jokes & your phrases like “skally wags” & “Dudesers” how you’d yell out “Kay-Jul-Kell”! I’m thankful for our last cabin trip, you slept quite a bit & we all knew you weren’t feeling well but we sure had a good time 4-wheeling & fishing the crap out of the Columbia river. We stayed w/mom after you went w/Jesus & Aleena kept asking for her Papa it’s sad to know she’ll soon forget you & how much fun you guys had. You loved all your Grand babies so very much, it’s comforting to know you’ll always be our angel looking down at us. We love you with all our heart. We’ll see you again someday.
Love Kate your “Skally wag Pal”