David Dominic Michel, age 53, passed away Friday, Aug. 12, 2016, with his brother Pete by his side at Providence Hospital in Everett.

David was born Dec. 19, 1962, in Jacksonville, Fla., to David Peter and Helen Wyvonne Michel. He was the fifth child in a family of seven children.

The Navy brought the family back to Oak Harbor in 1970, and David attended Oak Harbor Elementary and North Whidbey Junior High, and graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1981. Growing up, David was known for his kindness, his smile, playing Little League sports and for fun and shenanigans with his many friends in his neighborhood in Oak Harbor.

In high school, David was easy to notice because of his height and his charm. He will be remembered by alumni for being a basketball player and tight end in football for OHHS. David continued to play basketball and went to Skagit Valley Community College in Mount Vernon. David became an electrician and will be remembered for all the electrical work he has done on homes throughout Everett, Whidbey Island and surrounding areas.

In 1985, while playing frisbee, David met Sheryl. They married in September 1986, and welcomed their son Jacob William into the world March 1, 1991. David and Sheryl divorced but their love for Jacob continued.

Great memories Jacob has with his dad were the nights they spent together after his parents divorced. They would sit in David’s apartment and watch TV together, play Sega video games, draw and just talk in the dark. They would watch “Ancient Aliens” and “Modern Marvels” all the time, and get lost in conversation about history and the various things that captured their imaginations about the past. Something Jacob will never forget is playing strategy games with his father, specifically card games. He always taught Jacob the greatest weapon against your enemy is to think strangely, be unpredictable, and to be two steps ahead. He would demonstrate that in several different games they would play through the years. Jacob loved launching model rockets with his father and his cousins. Jacob is David’s clone and David was so proud to have him as his son.

On Jan. 7, 2002, David became a father again when his daughter Emily Eileen was born. Like Jacob, Emily looks a lot like her father. David and Emily had so much fun playing board games, drawing and riding scooters and bikes together over the years. David could be seen on the sidelines of Oak Harbor youth football games watching Emily cheer. He was really looking forward to seeing her cheer this year as she started her freshman year at his alma mater, OHHS.

David will be remembered for being the nicest guy you could ever meet. He truly was a kind and gentle soul. People and animals loved him. Some of his favorite things to do over the years were building rockets and flying remote control planes. Throughout his life, David could be seen behind the house flying drones or shooting off rockets. Dave was a big kid and was loved for it.

Left to remember and honor his love are his two children, son Jacob Michel and daughter Emily Stanek; his father David P. Michel (Dottie); his brother Larry Boyle (Patty); sister Belle Canaday (Pat); sister Diana Kinney; brother Pete Michel (Stacey); sister Teresa Besaw (Jim); and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Waiting to greet David in heaven were his beloved mother Helen Michel, sister Susan Anderson and son Brenan Michel.

Family, friends, alumni and anyone whose lives were touched by our gentle giant David are invited to attend his celebration of life at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2. The celebration will be held at a special place for David and his children, Bowman Bay near Deception Pass. Please bring a Discover Pass or be prepared to pay a day use fee of $10 for parking.

David was always very casual and loved sports. In his honor, the family encourages you to wear any sports jersey you like to the celebration: Seahawks, Mariners, Sonics, Oak Harbor High School jerseys, or any others are more than welcome (maybe not the New England Patriots). If you feel honoring David is best done by dressing up, you are welcome to do so. It’s about celebrating him.

Please come prepared for the weather and the wind that usually comes up on Whidbey Island in the evening.

Please visit David’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences.