Michael Roger English passed away at his home in Hamilton, Montana on February 5th, 2020. Mike loved to make people laugh and was often ready with a pun. Much of his humor stemmed from his refusal to abstain from crassness, even at questionable times.

Mike never let age stop him from pursuing his dreams. At age 50, he followed his heart to Montana, where his father had grown up in the Flathead Valley. Mike settled in the Bitterroot and carved out a life for himself there. Both a trained hypnotist and a licensed clinical social worker, Mike was well loved by many he counseled, and he possessed an innate ability to show kindness and compassion to people, regardless of poor choices they had made. He helped people believe they could change for the better.

When Mike moved to Montana, he began learning the bass guitar. He played in multiple bands over the years and loved jamming with his friends. While he had practiced martial arts his entire adult life, at age 60 he found the right fit in Tai Chi. Eventually, he taught classes, building yet another community stemming from his passions. Mike was a role model for reinventing one's self, proving that it is never too late to be the person you want to be.

The birth of his granddaughter Quinn softened and revitalized Mike, and he made many trips to visit her in Portland. His gentle patience, tenderness, and overall Zen nature were a calming presence in the house, earning an instant love for 'Papa Mike'. Mike is survived by the many women he loved, his friends he played music with, the Tai Chi community, his daughter Alyssa, son-in-law Scott and his granddaughter Quinn. Although we are forever grateful to have lived and loved with Mike, we will miss him greatly.

A celebration of life will be held March 7th beginning at 3 pm. Please stay for music and food. If you played music with Mike, feel free to bring an instrument to play a song for him. Service will be at the Grange Hall in Hamilton - 1436 S 1st St, Hamilton, MT 59840. For more information, call 503-312-3393.