Michael Ray Poorboy, 55

Michael Ray Poorboy, passed away on May 8, 2014, One of four children, Mike was born on January 1, 1959 in Carmel, California to Don and Ana Marie Poorboy. He graduated from Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard, California in 1977 and then attended North Idaho College in Coeur d’ Alene. He returned to California for several years to work for Exxon in Goleta, California. In 1992, Mike returned to North Idaho and started his own business which provided him the flexibility to pursue his many other passions.

Mike spent several years as a competitive runner, triathlete and cyclist. Mike’s passion for autos and auto racing was deep and lifelong. He was an active member in the Spokane County Raceway and Drag Strip community. Everywhere Mike went he developed instant friendships. As one friend stated “the racing world has lost its funny man. He was an awesome friend and probably the most hilarious crew member we ever had”. Another friend stated “you had an air to you that made me feel like we’ve known each other for years even though I’ve never met you in person”. Mike never missed an opportunity to make a new friend. If you were in a room full of people and you couldn’t see Mike you could hear him laughing or telling a story. Our family gatherings will never be the same without his funny stories and passion for life. He was always around for a morning cup of coffee with his Mom or there to help his Dad with odds and ends around the house. Mike was a true giver from snow plowing neighbors driveways to mowing the lawn and picking up trash at the race track even making sure a stranger got home safe on a wintery night. If you had something that needed repair or if you were stranded you knew you could call Mike.

But Mike’s true passion were for his boys Seth and Kyle and wife Anne. Mike was not only Seth and Kyle’s father. He was also their best friend and always ensured that fun was in their lives. Mike was truly the world’s oldest kid taking his boys to get the latest and greatest new toy and waiting hours in line late at night to make sure it happened. He started fatherhood later in life but you would never know it by the way he played and cared for his son’s. As his wife Anne put it he was like her third child and she wouldn’t have had it any other way. They recently spent a week in California touring Disneyland and Universal Studios and Anne stated that they had to be there when it opened and couldn’t leave until closing. Even the boys were tired but he made sure they stayed and took advantage of every moment.

Mike will always be remembered for his energy, willingness to help others and ability to be in the middle of every conversation. Always smiling and full of life Mike never missed a moment to tell a story. He will truly be missed by family and friends.

Mike is survived by his two sons: Seth and Kyle, both of Hayden, Idaho, wife Anne Romeo of Hayden, Idaho parents: Don and Ana Marie Poorboy of Hayden, Idaho, two brothers Jim Poorboy (Vanessa) of Porterville, California, Mark (Tracy) Poorboy of Hayden, Idaho and sister Cindi (Ron) DiDomizio of Lancaster, California and countless relatives throughout the world.

A service will be held at 2:00PM Thursday, May 15th at Yates Funeral Home at 373 E. Hayden Avenue in Hayden, Idaho