Michael Allen Grider

Michael married his first love in 1995 and had two beautiful girls, Jade Grider and Ashten Grider. As his life changed, Michael moved between Texas and Colorado, choosing to remain in Colorado some fifteen years ago. Summertime always brought him the opportunity to show off the Rockies to his daughters, sister, mom & nephews. He could never get enough of the outdoors & he shared his love for it with his family & friends.

Michael had a love for the sport of skateboarding from a very young age. After moving to Colorado Michael added the sport of snowboarding to his love for the outdoors. He loved hiking, camping, off-roading, exploring, rock climbing, rafting, snowboarding in the back country and would be off up in the Rockies at every opportunity.

In addition to his love for the outdoors, Michael loved learning and teaching. He read, wrote and spoke multiple Asian languages as well as Russian and Spanish. Michael was working towards his degree in foreign business when he met his second love, eleven years ago. College continued for he and his new love, but his path was again changed. He did not go on to become an English Teacher in Japan as he had planned. Several years later Michael had two adorable little boys, Aiden Grider and Gavin Grider.

Michael was a dad who enjoyed spending time on his mom and step-dad’s ranch in Texas. He enjoyed teaching his daughters & nephews how to skip rocks on the pond, find fossils in the fields, treasures in the forest and feed the horses, donkeys and dogs. In later years with his boys, he loved taking them to the park, teaching them Japanese, teaching them about the work he did and made them avid Broncos and Avalanche fans. At every possible opportunity Michael, Emily and the boys were hiking in the Rockies, camping and enjoying life; always learning, always teaching.

Michael was a friend for life. His friends date back as far as elementary school. He was known as ‘Iggy’ to that special groups of buddies in Texas, and ‘Mikey’ to his friends in Colorado. He treasured his friendships and tried to visit his buddies each time he returned to Texas.

His wit, his humor, his friendship is greatly missed, but he will live on through our memories. As we share our stories, we can’t help but smile and laugh. We are each blessed to have had him in our lives. We are each better people for the laughter, the knowledge and the love he shared with us.

Michael has gone on to find his peace before his parents, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, daughters, sons, both his life’s loves and two new grandsons. Michael has been reunited with his grandfather Bud Grider, grandmother Betty Grider-Mieese, step-grandfather Kenneth Miesse, grandfather Paul England and step-father M. T Pittman.