James Michael (Mike) Mead

Our beloved James Michael “Mike” Mead was taken unexpectedly from us by the Lord on March 18, 2024. James was 73 years of age when he passed.

James was the only son of Robert Donald Mead and Ruth Arloa (Cowan) Mead. He was born in Pueblo, CO.  

He spent his earliest childhood in Westcliffe, CO. His family moved to Canon City, CO, where he started elementary school. They then moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he attended Edison Grade school, Horace Mann Jr. High, and Roy J. Wasson High School. After graduation in 1967, he fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a U.S. Marine. He was inspired to join after reading “Battle Cry” by Leon Uris. He joined in 1967 and volunteered for Vietnam, where he earned a Purple Heart. After being discharged in 1969, he returned to Colorado Springs, where he met and married “the girl next door”, Deborah Straziscar, on June 27, 1970. 

James worked for Mountain Bell for 18 years as a cable splicer and telephone installer. In 1985 he began his own small business, M&M Communications, installing cable and telephones with his wife by his side. He accepted a contract for Colorado DOC to maintain and install telephone systems in the many prisons in Colorado. In 1988 he was hired on to Colorado DOC as the Senior Telecommunications Officer, which prompted him to move to Florence, CO. He lived and worked for 18 years until retirement in 2007. He was very proud of the work he did for CDOC, Department of Communications. After retirement, he focused on his family and traveling with Deborah throughout the U.S. He also restored a 1954 Chevy pickup that he loved to drive about with the windows down when the weather allowed it. James was an avid history and military buff and spent his quiet time reading. His other passion was his grandchildren. He was so proud of them. If you know “Mike,” you know he will be donning either a cowboy hat or a cap with Marine Corps emblems somewhere on it.

James was a charter member of The Canon City, CO Marine Corps League, Royal Gorge Detachment, and was an adopted Marine of Stormy’s 3/3 Marine Corps Reunion where he and Deborah traveled to many states to attend reunions where they met many fabulous former Marine Corps friends.

James is greatly missed by his wife of 53 years, Deborah (Straziscar) Mead; their two sons: Robert Mead of Lebanon, Oregon, and Ryan Mead of Colorado Springs, Colorado; sister: Iris (Mead) Lucas of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren: Maya Mead, Cassidy Mead, Willa Mead, of Lebanon, OR and Millicent Mead of Colorado Springs, Colorado; his nephew: Jeff Lucas of San Antonio Texas; niece: Lisa (Lucas) Carlson of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandniece: Brooke Carlson of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and all of his many cherished friends.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Wilson Funeral Home at 1449 S. 9th St., Canon City, CO with graveside services immediately after at Union Highland Cemetery, 719 Arrowhead Dr., Florence, CO.

James’ family would be honored for family and friends to come to his and Deborah’s home soon after the family leaves the cemetery for food and refreshments to celebrate “Mike’s” life with us. Please don’t hesitate to ask Deborah or others for address if not familiar with where the house is.

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