Michael Joseph Staha

Michael Joseph Staha, 74, of San Antonio, Texas, suddenly passed away with his wife Jamie at his side. Mike, who had a brief encounter with cancer, decided he would not give the disease any satisfaction, and joined God in the Kingdom of Heaven on May 30, 2024.

Mike and Jamie married in 1974 and have lived their lives together as husband and wife for over 50 years. For twenty-four years they resided in his hometown of San Angelo, TX, where they raised their family, with sons Christopher and Clinton, and daughter Michale, before moving to San Antonio in 1998.

Mike, the second eldest of six siblings, was born on May 14, 1950, to Leo and Regina Staha in San Angelo, Texas. His childhood and upbringing consisted of a faithfulness and devotion to the Catholic Church and tending to the family farm. Mike attended seminary school, and in 1968, graduated from Lakeview High School. A few years thereafter, Mike briefly attended Angelo State University with a major in marketing.

In 1969, Mike enlisted in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, as a Mechanical Maintenance Apprentice at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He achieved the rank of Private (E2), earned the National Defense Service Medal, and gained his Sharpshooter Badge before completing his service requirements and being Honorably Discharged.

His early employment included working in various service, sales, and manufacturing positions, including Mitsubishi Aircraft International, before realizing his true vocation in construction as a general contractor and painter. Mike would be self-employed for many years before settling down with Central Builders Inc., giving the Company twenty-four years before retiring from the workforce.

There was much more to Mike than met the eye. Beyond fishing, camping, and the outdoors, he was an artist and a true craftsman. He enjoyed writing, woodworking, poetry, working on automobiles, drawing, painting, and cooking. He was especially fond of his inventions, particularly his jerky recipes, which was exceptional enough that interested parties from the Decoty Coffee Company and their associates were interested in bringing his technique and recipe to the market and national distribution.

One word cannot sum up all that Mike was. A dreamer, his curiosity and his inquisitiveness drove many of his pursuits. A companion to any and everyone; there was no one he knew as a stranger, and he could befriend anyone who he sparked a conversation with. He was a caregiver as a nursing aide, providing a quality of life to his patients, as a gardener tending to his tomatoes, and as a patriarch providing for his family. He was kind, gentle, humble, and proud, most especially to those who he loved, his wife, brothers, sisters, children, and grandkids.

Mike was preceded in death by his father Leo Staha, who passed Sept. 1, 2001, and mother, Regina Staha, who passed Nov. 1, 2007.

He is survived by his wife Jamie, children Christopher Staha of Mishicot, WI, Clinton and wife Ashley Staha of Georgetown, TX, and daughter Michale (Kayla) and husband Travis Ortego of Fort Moore, GA. Seven grandchildren: James, Landen, Nathaniel, Addison, Ethan, Lucas, and Aiden. Siblings Andy Staha of Lubbock, TX, Patti Staha and husband Evan Simmons of Kerrville, TX, Francis Crider of Allen, TX, Elizabeth and husband Bob Shary of San Angelo, TX, and Albert and wife Lenise Staha of Lubbock, TX. Nieces and nephews: Stephen Staha, Leslie Boyer, Shaylla Staha, Brooklyn Staha, Jaci Staha, and Krista Shary Lawler, and numerous extended family and friends.

The Staha Family will host a visitation from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and a rosary from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home located at 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, TX 78628 on Sunday, June 9, 2024.

Funeral Mass will be held Monday, June 10, 2024, at 10:00 am at St. Helen Catholic Church located at 2700 E. University Blvd, Georgetown, Texas.

Interment will follow at Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery located at 330 Berry Lane, Georgetown, Texas.