Michael Strahan

May 29, 1958 -

Sep 2, 2021

Michael Lee Strahan passed from this earth to a better place on Sept. 2, 2021, in Portland, Ore. He was 63 years old. He was born in Downey, Calif., on May 29, 1958, to Jerry Strahan and Carol Tinker Strahan. He is survived by his wife Linda; they were married for 43 years and have two children. Michael was retired from Alaska Airlines, where he worked since 1985. At the time of his death, Michael and Linda lived in Costa Rica in a community of ex-pats that were very close and supportive of one another. Michael met the love of his life, Linda, in Eugene, Ore., and they married in 1977. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Hawaii, and he became a certified licensed scuba instructor, one of many things he loved to do. A few years later, Michael and Linda moved to Alaska, and this move opened a whole new world for Michael as he loved the adventure of hunting and fishing. Michael became well-known in the Alaska guide community, and he presented many forums and lectures at various fairs and outdoor events for many years. He also was very involved in the mission program of his church, loved traveling and had no fear, even in those countries that opposed Christianity. In 2016, Michael's wife was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease, and this changed their plans forever. This included early retirement, and a move to Costa Rica in 2018, where Michael was the caretaker for his wife Linda. Michael was talented in many ways, but his greatest talent was his ability to write. He had a significant following on his Outdoor Alaska webpage and wrote a book on river rafting in Alaska, which was published. He was nearly finished with a second book. He also had a blog that detailed his and Linda's life after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He was a loving and caring husband during the progression of Linda's illness, and she remains a very happy person. Michael stayed connected to family and friends; he and Linda would often visit their families who were dispersed on the west side of the U.S. from Alaska to California. He loved making friends and often visited them when he was in the area where they lived. His passing has left a huge hole in the lives of the many people he knew. Tragically, four days prior to Michael's death, his brother Jeffrey Strahan, from Yakima, Wash., also died.

Michael is survived by his wife, Linda; son, Nicholas Strahan; daughter, Hannah Wilder (Jordan); three grandchildren, Boone, Rosie and Arlo; father, Jerry Strahan; stepmother, Stella Strahan; siblings, Patty Ernst (Frank), Kevin Strahan, Gretchen Melburg (Leslie), David Strahan (Kim), Suzette Salcido (Robert), Scott Strahan and Bryan Strahan. There will be a memorial service for Michael on Oct. 23, 2021, at 2 p.m., at Faith Christian Community, 4240 Wisconsin Street, Anchorage, AK 99517. We will have a reception afterward and if you are planning on attending, please email Patty Ernst at pah333@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation FDR Station, P.O. Box 220, New York, NY 10150; https://alzcdn.alzinfo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/FCF-DonationForm.pdf.