On Passover day April 9, 2009 Michael Murray Brett passed from this life into the next after a long, hard battle with abdominal cancer. He is now with his Lord and Savior, with no more pain.
Mike was born at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in September 1955, to Mary E.J. Brett and Wilton W. (Bill) Brett. During Mike’s younger years he moved from Whidbey Island to Hawaii and to California before moving back to Whidbey Island in 1961.
Mike was in Hawaii when it became the 50th state. Mike moved to Coupeville, from Oak Harbor, in 1964. He grew and thrived in Coupeville and graduated from Coupeville High School in 1973. After graduation he joined the U.S. Navy and moved to Virginia Beach, where he met the love of his life, Sherry McMahan. They were married on June 5, 1976. Mike left the Navy and drove with his new bride across country to come back to his beloved Coupeville, where he spent the rest of his life. Mike and Sherry have one Son, Galen born in 1977.
Mike worked in various positions with several construction companies, Island County and the town of Coupeville in the early years and Youderian’s Construction and Krieg Construction in his later years. He was a volunteer firefighter for District 5 for many years. He worked hard and he played hard.
Mike was in many bands through his life, the latest being Highway 20, which played all over northwest Washington. Mike wrote a lot of songs, a lot were played by his bands. He loved his music and his other passion, carving knot heads. In 2002 Mike returned to school and received his AA from Skagit Valley College in electronic repair, making his family very proud. He chose this field so he could repair his own amplifiers.
Mike was a wonderful father to Galen and a loving husband to Sherry. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Mary Jo Brett.
He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Sherry, of Coupeville, and his son Galen and his wife Sumre of Monroe.
He is also survived by his sisters Mary Lou Chandler (Brett) and Phyllis Brett of Coupeville, a nephew, Timothy of Bellingham, and a niece, Donna of Marysville.
The last few months of Mike’s life were spent in the loving and caring hand of the staff at Enso House Hospice in Freeland. Dr Anne Cutcher, the nurses and volunteers there helped Michael transition from this life into the next with peace and comfort. The family wishes to ask that all donations be made to the Enso House at 6339 Wahl Road, Freeland, Wa. 98249.
Mike was a vibrant force in our family and loved by many. He will be missed terribly. Mike’s love for Jesus Christ and his baptism in 2004 helped him throughout this hard time and especially in his final hours.
Funeral plans are scheduled for April 25, at 1 p.m. at the Foursquare Family Church on Broadway in Coupeville.
A private inurnment will take place at a later date at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville where Mike will be able to spend eternity looking out over the prairie he loved so much.
Arrangements are with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., Oak Harbor. Family and friends are encouraged to sign the on line guest register at www. whidbeymemorial.com.
