Michael Fay, 77, passed away on Dec. 8, 2024. Mike, also known as Dr. Mike, Reverend Mike and Uncle Mike, was born in Berkeley, California, to Rolland “Rollo” Frederick Fay and Carol Rose (Hofmeister) Fay.
Mike leaves behind his longtime partner, Aimée Lesieutre, the extended Lesieutre family and former spouse Nikki (Harrison) Fay.
His family had a farm in Napa, California, when he was young, and he enjoyed exploring family property at the historic Napa Soda Springs. Mike’s family moved to Kobe, Japan, where he later graduated from the Canadian Academy in 1965. Lifelong friends were made in the small international school, and he shared memories with classmates at a couple of Canadian Academy reunions. Following his secondary education, he attended Oregon State University where he met his future wife.
After some years in traditional jobs, he and Nikki began renovating uncared-for houses while searching for country property to call home. Several misstarts later they found their place on Old Peak Road and became “Back to the Landers” — a trend among some groups at that time. They built a house from scratch with the help of friends. The half-acre garden reached perfection status after mornings each day spent digging in the dirt. With the couple pretty much living off the land, the neighbors joked that the Fays made most of their yearly income with prize money from the county fair.
Eventually the outside world called and after a year working for others the duo partnered with co-workers to form a wholesale lighting business — Lumens Lighting.
In the 1980s an interest in technology led Michael to the newly built computer lab at LBCC in Corvallis where he was soon offered a job as lab coordinator. Over the years he taught numerous classes from “How to Buy a Computer” to more advanced “Making a Website.” His work at Linn-Benton Community College lasted well over a decade with thousands of county residents learning new computer skills as the world embraced digital mode. His teaching wasn’t only for adults but included gifted youngsters in a summer program at Oregon State University. He also volunteered with the Computer Science Outreach Service (CSOS).
In 1995, Mike started a website development business, JAM Associates, with Julia Weatherby and Aimée Lesieutre. While Julia moved on to a high-profile corporate career in the tech industry, Mike and Aimee continued to run JAM & Associates building and managing websites for companies and individuals throughout Oregon and around the world.
A longtime community volunteer, he helped local organizations with websites and provided other technical issues assistance. For years he helped with the Philomath Classic Car Show. He engaged in many projects with the Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce, the creation of Skirvin Park, as well as countless political endeavors involving the development of a better Philomath.
Mike appreciated meeting and living with people throughout the world. Years in Japan were joined by winters in Mexico and Barbados. This cultural immersion continued in his later years with trips to Hawaii to explore black sand beaches and coffee plantations, a trip through the Mohave Desert during a rare season of blooming flora and numerous trips around the country to join in Lesieutre family gatherings.
Over the years, he enjoyed mentoring his friends’ kids and watching the nieces and nephews grow up. He had fun learning to fly small planes, remained an avid gardener, enjoyed food, hot sauce and cooking. He continued to be interested in all things tech and was always looking for cool gadgets. He was a big tree hugger and loved to watch his birds and deer. They are missing him already.
A Celebration of a Life Well Lived will take place on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, from 2-4 p.m. at DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home & Crematory, 815 NW Buchanan, Corvallis.