Michael Lee Surbaugh

Michael Lee Surbaugh, 44, born on April 10, 1968, in Fairfield, California, passed away, September 13, 2012 in his home with his wife Debbie Dawkins by his side. Michael leaves behind his daughter Halle Surbaugh, step-daughter Kelsi Biolchino, brother John Surbaugh and father Clifton Surbaugh.

Michael's road was not always an easy one but it was always littered with good friends and many memories. What may have seemed like an average day to some was special to Michael which was evidenced by his vast array of memorabilia. If Michael went to a concert even as a kid he still had the ticket stub, if he went to a game or a play he still had the program, and most importantly what he held dear and still continued to have was his friends Jason Krauth, John Hanlon, Jon Price and Mike Wiley.

Michael felt his one true accomplishment in life was his daughter, Halle Surbaugh. Mike did not raise Halle to be his friend but he raised her to be self sufficient, and to cherish education and the doors it would open for her. He showed her what dedication and hard work could do for her future. Michael was never prouder than when Halle was accepted into the Engineering program at CSU Long Beach. Ask any of his co-workers and they will tell you his office was overflowing with pictures of Halle and her accomplishments and paintings. All the way to the end his biggest regrets were that he would not be able to walk his daughter down the aisle and be there for her and to see his grandchildren, but he was confident she would be okay because he had raised her to be a strong woman.

Holidays were very important to Michael and he loved to shop, he never kept within his budget and was very generous. He loved buying for his step-grandchildren and would spend hours searching for the perfect gift. Some of the unique items Michael thought of were acting lessons for Alyssa and a signed copy of a Twilight screenplay. With Nickolas it had to be extra special due to his special needs so it was always computer systems and games that he knew Nickolas could master. He searched for the perfect retro style tri-cycle, etc. Michael loved his wife's family as they were his family and all family gatherings you would find him off playing with Nickolas, throwing a ball and letting the family dog slobber on him. He was loved by them in return and until the end his step-daughter Kelsi helped to take care of Michael, whether it was making sure he would eat during the day or just sitting nearby so he wasn't afraid and could rest comfortably when Debbie had to work. One of the last things Mike would say that could be heard before he was too weak was tell Kelsi I love her and thank you.

It would be a travesty to not mention Michael's love for animals and his witt, along with his childlike ways. Besides his beloved Cowboys that he never missed a game he enjoyed his time playing multiple games on his X-Box, Play Station and Wii. It wasn't enough that he enjoyed those things he had to make sure everyone did so if you didn't have a game system you were getting one for XMAS.

Words cannot express how fortunate Michael felt he was to have obtained employment at Northrop Grumman. It helped him to provide for his family in a way that he dreamed he could. He did not take his good fortune lightly and truly appreciated the opportunity he was given until the end. Although Michael knew from the beginning he would not be returning to Northrop he could not bear to have his belongings sent home to him until the day before his passing. He just didn't want to give up something he had felt so fortunate to obtain. Michael not only loved his job he truly loved his co-workers and they were his extended family.

Mike was the guy that didn't just send a check. There was a weekend that he and his wife shopped for a tent, sleeping bags, food, dog food (they had a dog), clothes and a cart and delivered them to a homeless couple by Debbie's work in LA. He truly enjoyed giving and the look on someone's face when they received. This was no tax deduction -- there was no way to deduct this act of kindness. This was just wanting to make sure they had a warm place to sleep and could feel somewhat human and worthwhile.

I know someone is receiving him and if that someone is as gentle and loving as Mike was in life then I am confident he is in a good place.

My apologies if this is not the standard obituary but Michael was always above the standard and I wanted this to reflect his love for life and how he lived it!

Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cypress, California.