James "Michael" Hazel

James Michael Hazel (Mike), beloved father, husband, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on May 12, 2012. He was 66 years old. Born in 1946, Mike grew up near Greencastle, Indiana with his seven brothers and sisters and graduated from Reelsville High School in 1964. He was a Vietnam Veteran who proudly served his country in the US Navy from 1966 to 1970. After his service ended he settled in Tacoma, Washington and earned his accounting degree from the University of Puget Sound. He went on to a successful career in property management and ran his own company, J. Michael and Associates, for twenty years. He spent his retirement years in Clark Fork, Idaho. Mike touched the lives of everyone he met with his kindness and generosity. To him, there were no strangers. He had a genuine love of people and loved helping others. A natural born storyteller, he was always quick with a joke or an amusing tale. He was an animal lover his whole life and could train the most stubborn dog or calm the wildest horse. He was a proud Hoosier and basketball fan, had such a green thumb that every house he lived in had a yard that looked like a park, and he was always reading books, indulging in his passion for history, politics, and poetry. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and infant son Robbie. He is survived by his wife Cindy, her children and their families, his son Matt (Tanya) and daughter Jamie (Jake), granddaughters Cayden and Zoe, his brothers and sisters and their families, his former wife Ann, and many friends throughout the world. He was the kind of person who only comes along once in a lifetime and he will be greatly missed by everyone. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice in honor of James.