Leslie August Michaels

Leslie August Michaels (89) passed away on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11, 2025 in Aurora, CO. Born on June 25, 1935 to Florence (Darm) and Ray Michaels in Dwight, Illinois. Leslie, also affectionately known as Mike, Gus, Butch, or Papa, was born into a farming family with 14 siblings.

After growing up on a farm and attending school in a one-room-schoolhouse (a fact he frequently told), he joined the U.S. Air Force and proudly served his country for 30 years. During his career he served in Morocco, France, Vietnam, Turkey, Iran and several places in the U.S. His proudest military achievement was working at the Pentagon as part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Mike retired as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1982. Together, with six of the eight boys, the Michael’s dedicated 144 years of continuous service to the U.S. Military.

While stationed at the ARPC (Air Reserve Personnel Center) in Colorado, he met the love of his life, Sally, with whom he celebrated 57 years of marriage and raised two beautiful daughters, Jody and Betsy. They settled in Aurora, CO close to much of Sally’s family. They spent a lot of time traveling together; With each coming from such large families, they could go to nearly any state and be able to visit a sibling, cousin, niece, or nephew. Mike and Sally also enjoyed going for drives and getting lost and dancing together at bars or family gatherings. After he retired from the Air Force, he owned and operated Uncle Mike’s Pool Service out of Denver for many years. He ran this business with the same dedication and high standards as when he was in the Air Force and truly made a name for himself throughout Colorado.

His first love was that of his wife and family. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, playing poker at the Michael’s family reunions, watching Rockies baseball, eating popcorn or ice cream. He also enjoyed working in the yard, listening to old songs on his "Alexis", and telling farm or military stories to anyone who would listen. He is lovingly remembered for his resilience, generosity, dedication to his country, work ethic, contagious laugh and smile, incredible memory including details from his early childhood, love of flowers, loving nature, patience, and his sweet tooth.

He is preceded in death by: his parents Florence (Darm) and Ray Michaels, eight brothers, five sisters, and his daughter Betsy (Pituch).

He is survived by: his wife Mary Louise Michaels (Sally), daughter Jody (Eric) Menching, sister Mary (Jim) Lydigsen, son-in-law Vance (Nicole) Pituch, eight grandchildren Morgyn (Lars) Kragness, Cara (Coty) Mann, Taylor Vaughan, Tiffany (Trent) Johnson, Vance Pituch II, Nathan (Amanda) Vaughan, Landon (Jordan) Pituch, and Jordan Menching, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He would tell you he lived a long and blessed life. Flowers can be sent to Horan and McConaty. In lieu of flowers, we welcome you to make a donation to a cancer organization or charity of your choice in honor of Mike.