Harlan Eugene Michael
May 9, 1933 — April 26, 2015
Harlan Eugene Michael of Temple City, California, was born on May 9, 1933 to Florence and Glenn Michael of Albion, Nebraska, and entered into eternal rest on April 26, 2015. He was 81 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his brother Elwin Michael.
Harlan married the love of his life, Carole (Thraen) Michael on October 31, 1955. They moved from Nebraska to Southern California in 1956, where they established their home.
Harlan (also known as “Red” to those he worked with) was ahead of his time with his innovativeness. In May of 1973 when there was a shortage of plaster sand, he created a blended sand (from waste) that is still used in the plastering industry today, and is requested by many homebuilders in the Los Angeles area. He was the Owner/Operator of Michael Rock and Sand. He and his wife operated their business with high standards of integrity and honesty until his retirement in 2002. The motto for their business was “We deliver sand, but we SELL our service”.
Harlan was a dedicated family man, and he valued his wife, four daughters and their families. He enjoyed spending time with his family, working on the restoration of his 1967 Triumph Spitfire, helping his daughters and son-in-laws do work around their homes, as well as traveling to the mid west to visit family. He was never too busy to lend a hand when anyone needed help with household or car repairs. He could fix ANYTHING! Harlan’s sense of humor was something that you could always count on. He always said “you gotta laugh” even at the hard times. Practical jokes, pranks and just having fun were things that he excelled in too. But of all the things that he had done, he was the most proud of his family—never wanting attention or boasting of his own accomplishments.
Harlan is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Carole Michael, of Temple City, California, his four lovely daughters, Pamela (Steve) Leddy of Covina, California, Susan (Greg) Mitchell of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Denise (Ron) Mitchell of La Verne, California and Leslie (Andrew) Hennings also of La Verne, California, 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren, as well as his sisters, Marge Lantz of Stanton, Iowa and Carol Zoucha of Albion, Nebraska and many nieces and nephews.
Harlan proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War, entering in 1953, and was discharged honorably in 1955. He will be given military honors at a private graveside service to be held at Riverside National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life tribute will be held at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia, California on Friday, May 8 at 5:30 pm. A Redbud tree similar to the one at the family home will be dedicated in his honor.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to your local homeless shelter. Harlan was a humble man, and had a heart for those who were less fortunate.
Harlan married the love of his life, Carole (Thraen) Michael on October 31, 1955. They moved from Nebraska to Southern California in 1956, where they established their home.
Harlan (also known as “Red” to those he worked with) was ahead of his time with his innovativeness. In May of 1973 when there was a shortage of plaster sand, he created a blended sand (from waste) that is still used in the plastering industry today, and is requested by many homebuilders in the Los Angeles area. He was the Owner/Operator of Michael Rock and Sand. He and his wife operated their business with high standards of integrity and honesty until his retirement in 2002. The motto for their business was “We deliver sand, but we SELL our service”.
Harlan was a dedicated family man, and he valued his wife, four daughters and their families. He enjoyed spending time with his family, working on the restoration of his 1967 Triumph Spitfire, helping his daughters and son-in-laws do work around their homes, as well as traveling to the mid west to visit family. He was never too busy to lend a hand when anyone needed help with household or car repairs. He could fix ANYTHING! Harlan’s sense of humor was something that you could always count on. He always said “you gotta laugh” even at the hard times. Practical jokes, pranks and just having fun were things that he excelled in too. But of all the things that he had done, he was the most proud of his family—never wanting attention or boasting of his own accomplishments.
Harlan is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Carole Michael, of Temple City, California, his four lovely daughters, Pamela (Steve) Leddy of Covina, California, Susan (Greg) Mitchell of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Denise (Ron) Mitchell of La Verne, California and Leslie (Andrew) Hennings also of La Verne, California, 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren, as well as his sisters, Marge Lantz of Stanton, Iowa and Carol Zoucha of Albion, Nebraska and many nieces and nephews.
Harlan proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War, entering in 1953, and was discharged honorably in 1955. He will be given military honors at a private graveside service to be held at Riverside National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life tribute will be held at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia, California on Friday, May 8 at 5:30 pm. A Redbud tree similar to the one at the family home will be dedicated in his honor.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to your local homeless shelter. Harlan was a humble man, and had a heart for those who were less fortunate.
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