Michael James Carraher, 77
Dr. Michael James Carraher, a longtime local physician, passed away Thursday morning, April 18, 2024. As he liked to be called, Dr. Mike was an internist who took very good care of his patients. He made sure that his charges received the best of care. His patients appreciated his kind and gracious manner and the respect he showed all. Dr. Carraher was admired and appreciated by his colleagues and fellow healthcare professionals. He enjoyed serving and helping people of all ages and backgrounds. Dr. Mike considered his profession to be a ‘calling’ of sorts and he continued to serve as a physician until age 70.
Mike was born Oct. 1, 1946, in Anaconda, Mont., the first of five children to Eugene and Carol Carraher. The family moved to Richland, Wash., in 1954, where he attended Christ the King grade school, Chief Joseph Junior High, and Columbia High School. Following his high school graduation, he attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. He pursued engineering but put his education on pause to join the military.
While in the US Army, Mike became a Special Forces Green Beret, attaining the rank of Sergeant. During this time, Mike was accepted into the MEDEX Program and graduated from MEDEX Class 1 in 1969. Mike was one of fourteen military veterans MEDEX founder Dr. Richard Smith selected.
Upon honorable discharge from service, Mike continued his education at the University of Washington Medical School, where he earned his degree becoming a Doctor of Medicine in 1975. Upon graduation, he completed his residency in Hawaii,1976-1977. Dr. Carraher also completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Washington (1980-1984) and Spokane Teaching Health Center (1984-1987).
Mike met his loving wife, Annette Bauman, in 1979 while attending his patients at St. Joseph Hospital in Lewiston, Idaho. At the time, Mike served the Nez Perce people from a clinic near Lapawi, a neighboring town. Mike and Annette married Oct. 12, 1985, and moved to Phoenix, Ariz. While working at the National Institute of Health, Mike researched diabetes and cared for Pima Indian Tribal members. Mike and Annette moved from Arizona to Spokane, Wash., and ultimately on to Post Falls, Idaho. Together they both raised Mike’s children from a previous marriage, Patrick and Malia. Mike was the love of Annette’s life and Annette was the love of Mike’s life. Together, they shared every joy and challenge that life had to offer.
Mike had many talents and interests. He liked to be involved in his children’s lives, often taking an active role as a Boy Scout father. He was an avid sailing enthusiast and often included family and friends in his sailing adventures. He earned an advanced degree in public health and attained several specialty certificates within the field of medicine. Mike enjoyed learning and challenging his mind. He even earned an MBA from Gonzaga University. Mike liked to travel and chose to learn to speak French to better connect with the local folks. He and Annette then traveled to France and enjoyed a Viking Cruise. Sailing, hot rods, hiking, hot tubbing and worshiping our Lord through service and attending St. George's Catholic Church in Post Falls occupied much of his ‘free time’.
Mike was an adventurous soul who was kind, gentle and loving to his friends and family. He was a great role model and a beloved member of our family and the community he served.
Mike is survived by his wife, Annette; his son, Patrick (Camilla) and their children, Haakon, Tessa, Kate, Trigg and Ella; and his daughter, Malia (Tony), and their children, Leo and Domonic. He leaves behind his sisters, Kathleen and Kerry (Jim), his brother, Terrance, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and another sister, Margaret.
Mike is also survived by, on wife Annette’s side, brothers and sisters-in-law: Maryann Bauman Nogle Cruickshank, Gene (Sandy) Bauman, Regina Dunroven, Susan Beck, John (Marcy) Bauman and William (Laura) Bauman and many nieces and nephews. Dr. Mike was preceded in death by in-law parents, James and Loretta Bauman, brothers-in-law Robert Bauman, James J. Bauman and Randy Beck.
Services will be held at St. George's Catholic Church, 2010 N. Bill St., Post Falls, ID 83854, on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 11 a.m.
Carraher