Michael (Mike) Wallentine, 59, passed away October 21, 2019, from complications following a stroke that occurred in January 2019.
Mike was born May 12, 1960, in San Diego, California. Around the age of six, Mike and his parents, Betty Wallentine, and the late Gerald (Jerry) Wallentine, moved to Paris, Idaho, with baby brother Victor in tow. A couple of years later, his baby sister, Melanie, came along, and Mike enjoyed being the oldest of three kids. He spent the rest of his childhood in Paris and graduated from Bear Lake High School in 1978.
Mike attended Brigham Young University before serving an LDS mission in Hong Kong for two years. His love for the people of Hong Kong endured throughout his life, and he delighted in speaking Cantonese whenever he had the opportunity.
Michael met the love of his life, Vernon Jemmott, on September 24, 1984. Michael contributed to co-parenting Vernon’s son, and together they raised a precious granddaughter, and spent much time nurturing other treasured grandchildren and a great grandchild. Mike wholeheartedly cherished all these relationships and time spent with each of them. Michael and Vernon later married on December 23, 2013.
Mike’s career encompassed a few different areas. These primarily included working as a corrections officer, working in quality assurance for American Express for several years, and more recently, working for Maximus in quality assurance within their call center to facilitate signing people up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Michael enjoyed and appreciated any focus on improvement within an organization; thus, he found a niche in quality assurance. Equally important, he immensely enjoyed the social aspect of getting to know and collaborate with numerous co-workers throughout the years; various beautiful friendships were developed and nurtured throughout his career.
Michael’s interests were diverse. He enjoyed discussing history, politics, and current events, more so with a cup of coffee in hand. He also relished time spent helping his kid/grandkids with science projects and rushing them to soccer practice and watching their games. He often attended political and volunteer events with his partner/husband. They especially looked forward to participating in and attending the annual Pride Festival events. Mike also enjoyed attending Jazz games with family and friends. Moreover, he never took for granted a good meal and conversation with family or friends. Additionally, Mike appreciated returning home to the small town of Paris where he was raised, and simply sitting outside with that perpetual cup of coffee in hand, waving at folks passing by.
Mike will be remembered for many things, but most notably his unwavering strength; an unabashed sense of self; his generosity; a sense of humor that often induced eye roll responses; a genuine concern for others and willingness to help someone in need; his protective nature; his ability to continue to show gratitude in his final days; and his deep love for his family and friends, as well as coffee.
Mike is survived by his mother, Betty Wallentine of Summerville, South Carolina; sister, Melanie Wallentine of West Jordan, Utah; son, Karim Jemmott (Sophia Jensen); granddaughters, Shakea Jemmott, Shaila Jemmott, and Zekiyah Jemmott; grandson, Treyvn Carter; and great grandson, Andre O’Bray – all living in Utah. He was preceded in death by his husband, Vernon Jemmott; his father, Gerald (Jerry) Wallentine; his brother, Victor Wallentine; and all grandparents.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 2, 2:00 PM, at Memorial Estates Mountain View (3115 E. Bengal Boulevard, Salt Lake City, UT.) A viewing will be held on November 1, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, and again on November 2, 1:00 – 1:45 PM, both at Memorial Estates Mountain View.
The family would like to thank everyone who visited and expressed concern for Mike throughout his illness. Your kindness was heartfelt. And a special thanks goes to the staff at Rocky Mountain Hunter Hollow for their dedicated and loving care of Michael throughout his time there.
Our dear Mike, you will be forever loved and missed.