Michael Ray Washington

On the morning of December 29, 2022, Michael (Mike) Washington of Albany, Oregon passed away at the age of 66. Mike was born in 1956 in Whittier, California to James and Marcile Washington. Throughout his life Mike loved wildlife, friends and especially his family. Mike is preceded in death by his son, Andrew Washington. Mike is survived by his parents James and Marcile Washington, his wife Pauletta Washington, sister Becky Lehr (her husband Greg), brother Todd Washington, son Aaron Burright (his wife Brittany), daughter Beth Lee (husband Nate), step daughters Wendy Clark, Brandy Slabaugh Davis, and daughter in-law Amy Washington-Owens. As well as many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great children. Mike never hesitated to volunteer his time to help others in any way he could. Mike was “Hoss” of the family. He was a big man in stature and heart. There never was a person that didn’t get along with Mike. His wife Pauletta said, “I fell in love with him the very first time I saw him.” Mike and Pauletta were married for the past 24 years and both were at family functions on both Pauletta’s side of the family as well as Mike’s. They surrounded themselves with family. Mike’s family lived in multiple states throughout his life and they settled in Oregon in 1977. Mike joined the family there after spending 4 years in the Army (1975-1979). After being honorably discharged in 1979 and moving to Oregon, he joined the Oregon National Guard. He eventually retired from the Guard in the early 2000’s. Mike loved his country. Mike became employed by the Corvallis School District and worked in their facility maintenance department for several years and retired when the Covid pandemic hit. The last job Mike held with the district was being the school steward at Jefferson Elementary School in Corvallis. Mike was loved by everyone at the school. Teachers, children, and parents all knew him as “Mr. Mike”. Mike had the ability to help students that were having a rough day turn things around and have a good day. His heart was even bigger than he was and it was always open and caring. After retiring in 2020 he enjoyed working on his landscape. He enjoyed gardening and his front and backyard always looked like a beautiful park. He enjoyed tinkering on things and always had the ability to take things apart much better than putting them back together again. Mike’s sense of humor served him well throughout life. Along with enjoying his yard he also took a liking to golf. He spent many days with his brother Todd on the course. When Mike was not working on his own house and landscape you could usually find him at his parents’ house helping them with different things and chores that he seemed to always have time for. Mike spent numerous hours taking them to appointments, helping with meals, and in general just being there for them. The family will be holding a public memorial service at the Albany City Church on January 20 at 3:00pm,. Mike will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all of the people he came to know throughout his life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family to help off set any final expenses. They may be sent c/o McHenry’s Funeral Home, 206 NW 5th NW Street, Corvallis, OR, 97330.

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Michael Ray Washington

October 6, 1956 - December 29, 2022