Michael Leroy Arbogast Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Michael Leroy Arbogast, 70, of Soap Lake, Washington, went home to be with his Lord on Monday, March 13, 2017. Michael was born April 23, 1946 in Pasco, Washington to Beryl Leroy Arbogast and Dorothy Alice (Gurnsey) Arbogast. Michael considered everyone he met his friend and he loved telling them stories, laughing with them, and being part of a group. He loved his brothers and sisters and loved to reveal all their family secrets. Singing and clapping were important to him, and he loved holding a new baby. He was one of the original students when the Pasco School District began its Special Education Program and attended there until he turned 21. Then in 1967, after a short hiatus at home, Michael became one of the founding clients when the sheltered workshop, Columbia Industries, opened its doors in Kennewick, Washington. Michael worked there for the next 29 years, reluctantly retiring only when health concerns forced him to do so. Michael lived the first 50 years of his life at the family home in Pasco with his parents. Then upon his retirement from Columbia Industries, he moved to Elma, Washington to live with his sister and brother-in-law, Laurie and Steve Dauma. Michael had few things in life that he was passionate about – one of these was bowling. He bowled with Special Olympics during the years in Pasco and then began league bowling in Elma and continued at Lake Bowl in Moses Lake, Washington for many years where he made many friends. John Wayne was Michael’s favorite actor and he was very proud of his collection of John Wayne movies. Michael was really a secret cowboy and one of his prize possessions was his white Stetson. Elvis Presley was Michael’s favorite singer and they sang many duets together and Michael was proud of knowing all the lyrics. The most important day of the year for Michael was the annual family reunion at Maryhill State Park. Michael attended for over 50 years without missing one and always insisted that we had to have deviled eggs for the picnic. Michael was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, John E. Arbogast of Nipomo, Calif.; and one nephew, Shane S. Dauma. He is survived by two additional brothers, Roger Arbogast, Shorewood, Ill. and JB Arbogast of Pasco; and six sisters – Jackie Rowley of Fairview, Ore.; Sharon Hillis of Madras, Ore.; Aramae Buckingham of Vancouver, Wash.; Laurie Dauma of Soap Lake; Shelley Mickelson of Two Harbors, Minn. and C. Fran Putnam of Sultan, Wash.; plus 20 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews and even more great-greats. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Community Evangelical Free Church in Soap Lake. Memorial gifts may be sent to Samaritan’s Purse at P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, designated for Operation Christmas Child; or to the Community Evangelical Free Church, P.O. Box 816, Soap Lake, WA 98851, in memory of Michael L. Arbogast.

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Michael Leroy Arbogast

April 23, 1946 - March 13, 2017