Michael Lamont DeShazer

Michael Lamont DeShazer was born June 16, 1954 to Pearalee Finley and Loren Joseph DeShazer in San Antonio, Texas and died February 27, 2010 in Denver, Colorado after a long illness. He is survived by his wife Jeanne Hansen, father Loren Joseph DeShazer, brother Kevin DeShazer, Sister Krsten Neeley (Keith), and eight children: Jon-Michael (Heather), Geoffrey (Jessica), Dylan (Holly), Danielle (Mark Smith), Andrea (Timon Donegan), Stefan, Christian and Walker. He was also a proud grandfather (Poppy) of 10: Caleb, Bryce, Aspen, Duncan, Liam, Gwendolyn, Rosaline, Brendan, Lillian and Emma. He attended schools in Portland, Oregon, Hobbs, New Mexico and Salt Lake City, Utah and finally moved to Arvada, Colorado in 1964 where his family stayed. He attended Colorado School of Mines for a year and then was called on a mission by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the country of Spain for two years. Upon returning in 1975 he changed schools and began attending BYU where in the fall of 1976 he met and became engaged to Jeanne Hansen. They married on April 23, 1977 and became parents before his graduation in April 1978 to Jon-Michael DeShazer. Mike graduated with a BS in Mathematics and a minor in Computer Science and Statistics. Though Jeanne was a theater major, both had been interested in theater and music for many years and both loved to sing. Mike had been playing the guitar since he was twelve and had played in several bands. It was such a passion of Mike's that in January 1981 he enrolled in Musicians Institute in Los Angeles California where he studied guitar and music theory for a year with many of recording business' greatest professional musicians. It was hard but well worth the effort. When they married and moved to Denver, Colorado, music and theater was what they did with their spare time. They formed several different bands, and over the years Mike wrote over 80 songs, and arranged as many more. Mike and Jeanne performed in plays, and as their children grew, each in turn began to show an interest in music in some way or another. Mike also began his career in 1978 as a computer programmer for several different companies but spent most of his professional life as a contract programmer for the Western Area Power Administration. Here he made many dear friends. In early 2003 he formed a band with some friends and some of his children called ""My Brothers and My Sisters"". This was one of the most fun times of Mike's life. They performed regularly for several years. For about 18 years his family went out every Christmas and caroled to their neighbors. Mike would play his guitar for anyone who came to visit and it was an important part of every family get-together. He decided in 2007 he would finally pursue his love for flamenco guitar and began to study in earnest. When in May of 2008 he became ill with leukemia his friends from work and his neighbors and church friends supported him every step of the way with their prayers, dinners and love. Mike died on February 27 with his family by his side. He had given it his all and could give no more. We couldn't be more proud. Please share your memories of Mike and condolences to his family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" tab.