Obituary of Michael Duane Booth, Sr.

Michael Duane Booth July 17, 1958 - December 9, 2020 Michael was born on July 17, 1958, in Kalamazoo to Betty Jane Simpson; little brother to Terry, Sharon, Barbara, Patty and Chuck. Nine years later they were joined by their youngest sister Kathy. The family expanded over time to include Kathy Booth (wife of Terry), Bill Hubbard (husband of Sharon), Mike Kemple (husband of Patty), Mary Booth (wife of Chuck), and Rich Paulson (partner of Kathy). He passed away Wednesday, December 9th after winning his courageous six month battle with Glioblastoma. He was preceded in death by his mother (Betty), sister (Barbara), brother (Terry), sister-in-law (Jenny), stepson (Danny), a niece (Peggy) and a nephew (Paul). Michael was an incredible man with a huge heart and an undying devotion to his family and friends. Those family and friends fought his final battle with him; supporting him, loving him, and walking alongside him until he was finally free from pain. This included the love of his life Rae-Anne, son and best friend Mikey, loving daughters Mindy and Trina, stepsons Rob and Jeff, and grandchildren: Chance, Anthony, Jacob, Nicholas, Katie, Robbie, Adleigh, Kailey and Kensley, in-laws Sharon and Ed Seaton and in-laws Jim and Phyllis Williams. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, and other extended family. His inner circle also included many very special friends, including Ed Santora, Doug Wilhelm, Ronnie Bresset, Pat Smith and Pat Wyman, and some he favored as sons; Kyle Santora, Lance Gary, Scott Gary Jr. and Matt Gifford. Many of these friends were racing buddies who he spent time with over the years at both Galesburg and Kalamazoo Speedway. Racing was Michael’s main love outside of family and friends. He spent any time he could at the track; racing, working in the pits, supporting and loving the folks at the race track. He was fiercely loved back by them all. He also loved fishing, and took advantage of every opportunity to get out on a lake with a pole in hand. Michael and Rae-Anne were together 33 years, married for 23. Their commitment to each other withstood many challenges and difficulties but nothing could get in the way of their love for one another. They raised their blended family and together had Mikey in 1994. Their house was always full of wild and crazy times filled with love. The next level of fun began with grandkids! Michael loved being with his grandkids and was up for anything, even wearing makeup carefully applied by the girls. He and Rae-Anne took trips and went on outings with them, made sure important days were extra special and enjoyed having them over any time; all the time. Michael came from a very close knit family. His mom made sure family was first, and that never changed as they became adults. His brothers, sisters and other family members surrounded him with love always, but especially during the last months of his life. Rae-Anne’s family also showed an extraordinary amount of love and support throughout their lives together and during his illness. Everyone who loved him will miss his incredible sense of humor, his love that made a person feel like they were the most important person in the world, his beautiful hazel eyes that twinkled when he was playing a joke on you, and his huge heart that would help anyone in need. Heaven is a brighter and funnier place with him in it, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. now has a new best friend..