BOMBER MEMORIAL

MICHAEL JOE "MIKE" BOTU ^SR ~ Class of 1965
December 10, 1946 - January 01, 2007

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Michael Joe Botu ^Sr, age 60, passed away on January 1, 2007 in Seattle. He was born on December 10, 1946 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Betty and George Botu, and lived in the Tri-Cities for 50 years. He moved to the Tri-Cities with his mother and father at an early age.

He attended Richland schools and graduated with the Class of 1965 from Richland's Columbia High School. He served in the U. S. Army. When he came home after serving his country in Vietnam, he married Priscilla Thompson in 1969 and became a father to two children: Mike ^Jr and Michelle. He and Priscilla were divorced in 1976 but remained in his life.

Raised an only child, at forty-six Michael searched for and found the biological father he had never known in Ohio, John Pavlich, and then came to know two half-brothers and a half-sister. The father passed away soon after but the ensuing relationships with this extended family was something that brought a lot of joy to him the rest of his life.

An accomplished sheet metal worker, he was a perfectionist who took pride in everything he did. He was happy to share his love of NASCAR sprint and go cart races with his family and attended NASCAR races all over the country. He was a member of the Aces and Eights Car Club. Michael owned and raced go carts and stock cars. He loved to be in and around race tracks anywhere.

Michael was a huge fan of music and had a very eclectic taste; he leaves a huge CD collection. One of he and Kathy's favorite occupations was traveling to hear different groups and usually made a point to chat with some of the members of the band and get autographed copies of their music.

Michael was unforgettable for his quirky sense of humor, few words, bald head, expressive eyes and distinctive white beard. He will be missed.

He is survived by his best friend and wife, Kathy Botu; son, Michael Joe Botu ^Jr; daughter, Michelle Noel Botu; stepdaughter, Freya Vaughn Matsumura; grandchildren: Tommy, Steven and Clarity. In addition to these are siblings: Patti Hurley (Florida), Jamie Pavlich (Ohio) and Stan Hillerman (Indiana). He also leaves his beloved companions, Joker and Muffin.

A memorial service was held at 10am on Friday, January 5, 2007 at Einan's in Richland. Donations may be made to Northwest Lung Inc., support@Northwest-Lung.org or www.northwest-lung.org; 2802 W. 10th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99336.

Express your thoughts and memories in the online guest book at www.einansfuneralhome.com.

Published in the Tri-City Herald on January 4, 2007.

Bomber Memorial put together by Maren SMYTH ('63 and '64) and edited by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).