Michael Chase

Michael Chase, 92, passed away on Friday January 31, 2014. The family would like to thank the George E. Wahlen Veterans Home for their kind care of Mike.

He was born Minor L. Chase on July 17, 1921 in Clearfield, Utah, the son of Verless Monroe Chase and Ethel Viola Fisher. Later he married Gladys Thelma Groves. They had one child, James Layton Chase, and were subsequently divorced. Grandpa changed his name legally to Michael Chase in later years.

He served during WWII as a US Navy Corpsman.

Michael is survived by his son, James Layton Chase; grandchildren, Katherine Christensen, Lora Brown, and Chris Chase; eight great grandchildren and one great great grandson, and beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Grandpa was a genius, an intellectual. He loved learning, and always read and studied to improve his mind. He spoke Spanish fluently. He enjoyed computers and technology, working as an engineer a few years, and loved inventing better machines. He kept fit and trim, exercising and eating healthy foods. He had a great sense of humor and was fun to be around. One of Grandpa's gifts to mankind was service to fellow members of Alcoholics Anonymous, where he was known as "Old Man Mike." He was a light and example to them of how much better life is without the crutch of alcohol. He overcame this himself in 1976, and later started the first Atheist Alcoholics Anonymous chapter in the U.S., in California.

Grandpa Mike's funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 7, 2014 at the Alano Club, 684 24th Street, Ogden, UT 84401. There will be a viewing from 9:45-10:45 a.m. preceding the funeral.