Jesse Edgar Michael

On August 25, 2022, Jesse Edgar Michael passed away in his sleep near Palm Springs, California. He was 89 years old. Jess is survived by his sister Ramona Schroeder, son David (Bonnie) Michael, daughter Michelle (Matt) Soderlund (née Michael), four grandchildren; Christopher (Joanne) Michael, Jonathan Michael, Amanda (Brian) Baum (née Soderlund), and Michael (Allison) Soderlund, and great-grandson Benjamin Michael. Jess was preceded in death by his son Douglas Michael. Jess was married twice to women from Grant, Neb.; first, in 1956, for 23 years to Mary Alice Michael (née Keller), mother of his three children; and second, in 1990 to Turzah Michael (née Knotwell/Hendricks) for 30 years until her death in 2019.

Jess was born in Wood River, Neb., on June 23, 1933, and raised by his mother Myrtle Michael (née Bassett) and stepfather Paul Holmes, after his father David Michael died when Jess was two. Jess had two half-brothers, Wes and Steve Holmes. He graduated from Perkins County High School class of 1953, and was an army veteran, serving in Stuttgart, Germany after WWII. 

Jess worked in the banking business, starting at The Farmers National Bank in Grant and rising to the position of assistant vice president at The Arizona Bank in the Phoenix, Ariz. area. He ended his banking career as branch manager at Pima Savings and Loan in Sedona, Ariz. in 1989.

Jess was an excellent golfer. He was Club Champion at Oak Creek CC in Sedona for many years. He also had a long-term presence at the Grant Golf Club, helping to establish it in the early years and maintain it during his retirement.

After retiring, Jess lived in Grant and wintered in an RV, enjoying a carefree lifestyle, traveling and setting up camps in the western US and Mexico. He was an avid fisherman and continued to play golf whenever he could. Eventually, Jess ended up with his truck and RV in Hemet, Calif., where he could be closer to his son and where he had wintered in the past. Jess spent his few final years fishing with his son and enjoying holidays, special events, and gatherings with his family. Jess was a well-loved, sociable, joyful man. He will be greatly missed.

Private inurnment will be in the Paxton Cemetery, Paxton, Neb. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.

Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.