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Michael Frederick Easley
330 West Highway 246
Buellton, CA 93427
(805)693-1601 |
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Michael Frederick Easley (aka, Fred), died on April
1, 2007 in Buellton, CA of complications from prostate cancer, a
disease he struggled gallantly against for five years.
Fred was born in Fordyce, Arkansas on February
14, 1936. He was christened Michael Frederick Easley; however, during
WWII, just before his father, Fred O. Easley, Jr., was to be transferred
to Europe to fly combat missions, his grandparents insisted Michael's
name be changed to Fred O. Easley, III, to ensure the lineage would
be maintained. This explains why his many caring classmates from
the class of 1958 knew him as Fred. As it turned out, he wasn't
very keen on the name, especially when as a Plebe, all too many
upperclassmen found out his middle name was Oscar. So, when he graduated
and was on his own, he submitted the paperwork to have his name
changed back to Michael Frederick Easley, only to find out the initial
name change was never officially recorded! Therefore, to his classmates
he was known as Fred, and to others he was Mike.
Fred's cadet days were marked by subtle - occasionally
bold - strokes in gold that shone through a pallet of life on the
Plain, sometimes overwhelmed by shades of grey and black. Maybe
that luster explained the refreshment his presence served up to
others of us seized with bare survival or, at least, less certain
than Fred could be about how laughter sustains in times of peril.
One of his roommates added the QED to Fred's character portrayal
when he said, "Fred made me laugh and smile going through West
Point when I really didn't want to."
He served his country with distinction with overseas assignments
in Germany, Turkey, South Vietnam, Argentina, and South Korea. Decorations,
which Mike received for his service in Vietnam, included the Bronze
Star for Valor, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Commendation Medal, and
the Combat Infantry Badge. However, the military-related activity
that probably gave him the greatest pleasure was the creation of
the Veterans Memorial Walk in Santa Barbara, California. His vision,
design, and tireless pursuit of funding and government support resulted
in a truly remarkable memorial in a most spectacular setting.
Not many know that at the height of the Cold War,
right after the Berlin Wall was erected, he commanded the US Army
tank platoon at Checkpoint Charlie during the tense Soviet-US standoff.
His platoon stood face to face, or gun barrel to gun barrel, with
ten of the Soviet Union's mighty T-55 tanks, the "Russian Bear"
category. So, to even the playing field, Mike appropriately named
his tanks "bears", Teddy Bear, Polar Bear, Cuddly Bear,
and Pooh Bear, and the Soviet tanks eventually withdrew.
Being raised in a military family meant, of course, living in many,
many different locations including overseas, circumstances which
helped to shape his love for the humanities, the written and spoken
word and languages. His genuine interest in reading was evident
even as a teenager. Later he became known as a great storyteller
and always had something to say that would make you smile or laugh.
Barry Zwick, said it best, "He brightened the day of whomever
was lucky enough to spend time with him."
F.O. Easley was one of those colorful caricatures
to make indelible visits to the human experience. Inactive, dull,
angry, sad minds found little comfort in his company. Neither did
his in theirs. This robust lad we knew from an early stage dedicated
himself to processing and practicing high principles in the service
of humanity and values that resonated to his chord for trust.
Fred had an unabashed love of the written and spoken word. Gabrielle
Brown-Nadal, Fred, and Barry Zwick had lunch in Santa Barbara often.
Barry recalls during a conversation someone might mention, say,
Omar Khayyám. Fred would unhesitatingly break into verse
offering up several quatrains and polish it all off with his gigantic,
signature smile. Many in the restaurant would stop what they were
doing and listen appreciatively, but with some element of surprise.
Reciting poetry and giving lengthy quotations was not the limit
of Fred's repertoire; he might break into song when the occasion
beckoned. He was especially prone to warble any USMA tune, such
as Benny Havens, Oh! after quaffing a beer or two … or, was
it a glass of wine? It didn't take much. Once again, a huge smile
would punctuate the proceedings. He loved performing, as evidenced
by his habitual Thursday night attendance at Fess Parker's Inn in
Los Olivos, CA where he would sing several songs for the evening
crowd. Not only did Fess and his wife love him, the entire gathering
showed great fondness for him, and he returned that affection happily
and with grace. Fred's antics, humor, song, care, courage, but mostly,
a keen sense of what seems to matter; all these put to lifting our
spirits and possibilities touching the memory gently, fondly …
with gratitude.
His children will always know how much he valued
their uniqueness and how deeply he loved them. He was incredibly
proud of their accomplishments and very hopeful for their futures.
His son, Scott wrote of Mike's spirit, "He held the same fascination
for people, the same innocent spirit of adventure that we all did
in our youth. Even though he had seen both the blackness of war
and trials of his own family hardship, he never lost his sense of
humor or sense of wonder at the world."
Mike never questioned his fate when diagnosed with
cancer, but fought the disease with all he had. In the midst of
his own struggles, he shared enthusiasm and knowledge of his victories
with all the fellow patients he met. He helped others whenever possible
and lived by the words, "People may not remember exactly what
you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you
made them feel."
In closing, this remarkable man should be remembered
by the words he said whenever he ended a conversation, "Keep
Smiling!"
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