Obituary of Michael William Favor

Michael William Favor, age 72, passed away on February 24, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona, from heart disease, surrounded by his immediate family.

Mike was born in Detroit, Michigan to Gerald and Virgina Favor of Dearborn, Michigan on March 23, 1951. He is survived by wife Donna Favor, son Michael G. Favor (Frankie Schiavone), sister Gerry (Gerald) Sjue and dog Reagan. Mike had one granddaughter, Jesalina, who quickly became a favorite topic to share with others about.

Mike enlisted in the Navy part way through his senior year of high school with the plan to leave after graduation. With a few changes in timing to meet his platoon at bootcamp, Mike had a personalized graduation ceremony in the principal’s office a few weeks prior to his actual graduation. Mike enjoyed and was very proud of his time in the Navy, often showing off souvenirs he obtained, some significant such as the ornate bar his son now has in his home.

Mike married Donna on May 7, 1976 after being introduced on a blind date two years prior in January of 1974 by Mike’s aunt Skip who was close friends with Donna’s family. Mike and Donna were in their 48th year of marriage and a total of 50 years together at the time of his passing.

Mike and Donna went on to live next to Mike’s parents, Gerald and Virgina until their passing in the late 90’s. This enabled Mike, Donna, and their son to spend many hours at his parents’ house. Mike, Donna and their son, with his parents and sister’s family, went on many special family trips including one to Walt Disney World as well as others organized by the Knights of Columbus. Mike had many important dogs that were always part of the family from Rusty as a boy to Sparkles with Donna upon getting married followed by Sable, Sydney, Mannix, Cali and Reagan.

Mike’s favorite hobby, starting in his teen years and continuing up through retirement, was bow and rifle hunting. Mike started hunting at a young age with his father and uncles in northern Michigan. He went on several trips to Wyoming with his father and others to hunt Elk. Later on, he visited Canada several times for black bears with his son Michael and colleague and friend John Lucas. Mike also made several day trips to his brother in law’s (Ron and Juanita) farm for deer and small game hunting with his father in law, John Bechtol.

Following the Navy, Mike’s sister got him in at Ford Motor Company. He spent the next 34 years there till his retirement in 2007. He formed many friendships over the years at Ford Motor including Clint, Charlie and Jack. All four men moved up together in the company and each had boys within a couple month span of each other.

After retirement, Mike and Donna moved to Phoenix in the early 2010s to be closer to their son. In 2020 they moved to Tucson to join their son and his now husband where he resided until his death. During these years Mike spent many hours with Donna in their pool, a few southwest road trips and, was able to experience being a grandfather. He became close with his son-in-law’s family and considered them part of his family.

There will be a private service for immediate family members in Tucson. A memorial in Michigan will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mike’s honor to Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) in Tucson, AZ.