Michael Thomas Lussier
August 20, 1945-January 21, 2012
Michael Thomas Lussier was born August 20, 1945 to proud parents Al and June Lussier. Mike was the firstborn son and the first grandchild on both sides of the family.
Mike grew up loving to spend time at his grandparent's farm. He loved to farm with his grandfather Clarence Gooden. He prided himself on his straight rows in the fields and always made comments as he would pass fields that had crooked rows. He learned to ride horses on the farm and later would ride saddle broncs in rodeos. He was a member of the rodeo team for Lamar Jr. College. He also loved to play football and basketball in high school. He once had a science project to study the contents of coyotes stomach's which gave him a legitimate excuse to do what he loved to do anyway, to go out in his pickup truck chasing coyotes. I can remember the stench in the garage after the hunt and the analyzing of stomach contents. He loved it, we weren't so sure. He also loved to fish, and he had several great guys who would take him out to Turk's Pond to fish in his wheelchair. His young years were filled with adventure, fun, friends and laughter.
Mike married and had two children, daughter Robbie Dawn and son Dylan Adair. Mike was so proud of his children and grandchildren. He loved spending time with his nieces and nephews. Mike was able to do what he loved, and that was to farm until his accident. He was injured in a freak roping accident when he was in his early twenties that left him disabled. He was able, with help from family and friends, to live independently in his own home for many years. He loved to ride his jazzy downtown in his later years and visit with people. For being a man who couldn't stand a rainy day because it kept him inside, and not busy, he handled being disabled with as much grace as anyone could ask.
Mike prided himself on being a real cowboy, not the "drugstore" kind. We learned very quickly the proper way to set his hat down. He never went anywhere without his boots and hat, he was cowboy to the end. There is an attitude that comes with being a cowboy, I don't know quite how to explain it, but Mike was cowboy to the end.

Mike, who was living at Harmony House in Bend, Oregon, moved to heaven on January 21, 2012.
Mike is survived by his daughter Robbie (Todd) Hersch and son Dylan (Michele) Lussier and his five grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Markema Hebberd, Hillsboro, Oregon, brother Dan Lussier, Bend, Oregon, and nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be donated in memory of Mike to Walsh Healthcare.