Michael Pease Obituary

Michael Howard Pease, 60, of Longmont, Colorado, died Sunday, February 13, 2011, at the HospiceCare Center of Boulder and Broomfield Counties, in Louisville, Colorado, after a well-fought battle with lung cancer. He was born September 6, 1950, in Simla, Colorado, the son of Howard G. and W. Darlene Martin Pease. Having lived in Limon until 1966, Mike's family then moved to Colorado Springs, where he and his brother Steve assisted the family in building one of the first all electric homes in the state. After graduating from Air Academy High School in 1968, Mike earned his Associate Degree in Police Science from El Paso (now Pikes Peak) Community College in Colorado Springs. A 39-year veteran of the Boulder Police Department, Mike was drafted shortly after being employed at Boulder CO Police Department. He served as a Military Policeman for two years in Germany. Much of this time was as NCOIC at a missile silo Southwest of Mainz (near Wachenheim) Germany. After being Honorably discharged, in 1973, he returned to the Boulder Police Department, resuming as an undercover narcotics officer. Collateral duties included a period of time in the Detective Bureau. After returning from the narcotics bureau, Mike spent the majority of his career in his favorite division, Patrol. He volunteered as an explosives technician and through the 27 years there, he earned high praise from his peer's area wide. He and his partners were instrumental in raising money to purchase a robot for use by the bomb squad. Shunning promotion, he earned badge # 1 on the department. Mike was a field-training officer for 30 years. Most officers on BPD were at some time trained by Mike. He received several commendations over the years, including a Life Saving Medal and two Awards of Excellence. He was a life member of the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators. He was voted "Officer of the Year" numerous times by his Brother and Sister Officers. Mike began his journey as a Christian in the Methodist Church, and was a charter member of the Centurion Daylight Lodge #195 A.F. & A.M., where he was raised to the degree of Master Mason. In recent years, Mike converted to Roman Catholicism, and was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Longmont. Friends and colleagues will remember Mike as a man who showed respect and dignity towards all with whom he came into contact. He had a notable ability to stay calm in a crisis, and displayed his sense of humor and gracious nature to his last day. Mike is survived by his first wife, Catherine, of Longmont, his widow Judith, and their son John "Jack" Gordon Pease; his son, Donald Ray Pease of Longmont; his daughter, Kerri Ann Pease-Hernandez (Jason) of Mesa, Arizona; his father, Howard G. Pease, his friend Janet Hoover; and his brother Steve Pease, and his life mate Shirley Firpo; his Aunt Shirley (Donald) Hendrix; cousins Lori Ann Hendrix; and Jason Donald Hendrix; all of Colorado Springs. A rosary service will be held Thursday, February 17, 7:00 p.m., at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2410 B Trade Center Ave., in Longmont, CO. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 10:00 a.m., at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 1318 Mapleton Ave., in Boulder, CO, with the Rev. Alan Hartway and the Rev. Frank Maroney concelebrating. For those wishing to make a memorial contribution, please consider making it to the Boulder Police Officer's Association, (a 501c3 designated entity); Widow's Fund, at 1805 33rd St., Boulder, CO 80301