Michael Jake "Mike" Salyer

Michael “(Mike)” Jake Salyer January 23, 1948 – July 5, 2015 Michael was the second son, born January 23, 1948 in Enid, Oklahoma, to Jake Salyer and Mary Elizabeth (Birchfield) Salyer. Michael passed away peacefully; to be with his Lord and Savior, on July 5, 2015 at the Ethicus acute care hospital in Grapevine, Texas. Mike spent his childhood in Enid along with his older brother Jim and caring for and protecting his younger brother Richard. Michael was born with a gentle soul and a heart of gold. God gave him a special ability to love, protect and make everyone around him happy. He was the “Rock” for his family and friends. Mike became interested in and loved football at a very young age. When he was a teenager he moved to Okmulgee, Oklahoma and stayed with his Grandpa and Grandma Birchfield. He wanted to attend Okmulgee High School and be an Okmulgee Bulldog. Mike’s love for football continued, especially for the Dallas Cowboys and OU. After graduation Mike moved to Dallas, Texas. He was a hard worker. It wasn’t unusual for Mike to be working two jobs at a time. At one of his jobs he met Lana Kay Dickey which would change his life forever. According to both it was love at first sight. Mike and Lana were married. Mike was happy he had his soul mate, a son and two beautiful daughters. Just about the time they became used to being a family Mike was transferred to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He realized while in Albuquerque he needed additional education to be able to give his family the kind of life he wanted for them. They moved back to Okmulgee, Ok. Mike enrolled at Okmulgee Tech. The family joined the 2nd Baptist church and Mike and Lana were both baptized. Phillips Petroleum Co. sent recruiters to Okmulgee Tech for interviews. Mike decided to interview and was offered a job with Phillips in Bartlesville, Ok. While working for Phillips Mike took advantage of the education program and enrolled at Wesleyan College taking classes at night and working days. He graduated with high honors, earning the distinction of magna cum laude. Mike has a host of friends that loved him and will miss him terribly. Surviving Michael are his son and two daughters; Kevin G. Hedgpeth of Arizona, and Karen Reddell and Deborah Baker of Bartlesville; grandchildren, Mark Sims of Okmulgee and Alicia (Sims) Miller and her husband, Cameron of Holdenville, Oklahoma, Jacob and Kaitlyn Baker of Bartlesville; and two great grandchildren: Logan and Audrey Sims of Holdenville. Also surviving Michael are his brother and sister-in-law, Richard Eugene Salladay and Brenda Salladay of Enid, Oklahoma, and his sister, Carolyn Hatfield of Isabella, Oklahoma; four nephews, James Harold Salyer of Wichita, Ks., Jacob Roberson and his wife Tosha of Enid, Jonathan Roberson and James Roberson of Enid; and one niece, Sarah Elizabeth Salladay of Enid, Oklahoma. Also surviving Michael is his former wife and friend; Lana Salyer. Michael was preceded in death by his mother and father, Mary Elizabeth Allen and Jake Salyer; two brothers, Jim Salyer and John Salladay; and a baby sister, Deborah Jean Salladay. A funeral service will be held in the Stumpff Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00pm, Friday, July 10, 2015. Internment will follow the funeral at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Michael Jake "Mike" Salyer

January 23, 1948 - July 5, 2015