Michael John Stearns

Michael John Stearns, age 66, peacefully passed away at his home in La Mesa, CA after enduring more than 10 years with Alzheimer's disease, on February 22, 2017 at 3:14 PM. Mike was born August 27th, 1950 in Sodus, New York. Mike's father was frequently re-stationed during the many years he served in the US Air Force, thereby, creating the need to move his family several times. Mike really enjoyed reciting to people he knew and people he met, the list of all places and in the exact order, in which his family lived while growing up. His father, Francis Stearns and his mother Marie Stearns, preceded Mike in death.

Mike is survived by one brother, Richard Stearns, age 72, of Flatonia, Texas; one sister, Sandy Johnson, age 68, of Greenvalley, Arizona; four nieces and two nephews. He is also survived by his beloved daughter, Sara Stearns McGehee age 39, of San Diego, CA (her husband Jason McGehee, age 46) and their 2 beautiful loving twins age 3, a boy Logan Michael McGehee and a girl, Chloe Eunice McGehee. Mike never had the chance to know Logan and Chloe nor did they ever have the chance to know their grandfather Mike. Mike is also survived by two stepdaughters, Julie Wright, age 43, of San Jacinto, CA and Lisa Marino, age 42, of Alpine CA; his stepson, John Beverage, age 39 of Hemet CA; and three step grandchildren, Ethan LaChappa, age 23, of San Jacinto, CA, Lynnsey Prater, age 18, of Hemet CA, and Daisy Marino, age 8, of Alpine, CA

Mike is survived by his wife of 24 years, Susan Angela Machan Stearns, age 62, of Alpine California. Together for many years, they had a wonderful home and life in Hemet, CA. They had years of fun spending time at their condo in downtown San Diego. They were big San Diego Padres fans. Together they traveled the world, went to all 30 major-league baseball stadiums, all 50 state capital buildings and about 40 different hard rock cafes around the world.

Mike graduated from Santa Maria high school in 1968. He went on to receive his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering at San Diego State and then received his master's degree from UC Berkeley. Mike had a 35 year career as a registered Civil Engineer for the state of California. He served in numerous clubs and organizations during his many years in Hemet and received several awards and acknowledgments for donating his time and talents to the community. Mike loved attending baseball games, working in the yard, riding mountain bikes with his buddies, snow skiing, traveling and drinking beer with his friends.

Funeral services will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church 26340 Soboba St. Hemet CA. at 10 AM on Monday, February 27, 2017. All family and friends are invited to attend a gathering to celebrate his life at Soboba Country Club 1020 Soboba Rd in San Jacinto CA, immediately following his funeral mass. Burial services will be attended by Mike's immediate family, the following morning, at Menifee Valley Cemetery. Memorial donations of any amount would be welcomed and immensely appreciated to Alzheimer's San Diego, 6632 Convoy Court, San Diego, CA 92111. www.alzsd.org (858) 492-4400.