Michael Emilio Felan died Oct. 1, 2016, after a battle with leukemia.
Born July 23, 1956, in Edinburg, Texas and raised in Bay City, Mich., Michael graduated from All Saints High School in 1974. A devout Catholic, Michael knew at an early age that he wanted to dedicate his life to God and the service of others. As a lay minister of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Bay City, Michael served the Hispanic community and migrant workers, helping meet their needs, fighting for better living/working conditions and ministering to their spiritual needs.
In response to the call on his life, Michael felt drawn to Texas, where he continued his quest to minister, counsel and fight for those in need. His care for others led him to employment with AIDS Arms and with the Department of State Health Services. He was also active in his church, White Rock Community Church, as a deacon, worship organizer and volunteer at White Rock Friends.
Michael touched people with his humor, wisdom and counsel. To know Michael was to know his devotion to God. His friends and family said: “Michael, we know God called you home to celebrate and be reunited with family. You will be greatly missed but never forgotten. God has closed the door on your earthly life and opened the door of your eternal life with Him. All our love, your family.”
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Fabian H. and Maria L. Felan, and brothers, Fabian F. and Gabriel P. Felan. He is survived by his sisters and brothers of White Rock Community Church; brother Jose (Terry) Felan; sisters-in-law Margaret Felan, Barb Fergus and Jolene Malley-Cooke; nephews Matthew (Janelle), Jason and Benjamin Felan; nieces Heather (Don) Sodee, Holly (Michael) Hardy and Madelyn Felan; great-nephews Noah Felan and Preston Hardy; great-nieces Ashleigh Sodee and Alexandra Felan.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, Oct. 8 at 11 a.m.at White Rock Community Church, 9353 Garland Road in Dallas,. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the church.
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Christopher Lee Reed, 40, died at his home in Dallas Aug. 8 of natural causes.
Born March 17, 1976, Christopher was a native of Sweetwater, Texas but had lived in Dallas for the past 20 years. He worked as an administrator with Bank of America.
His friends and family said: “We will miss his smile and contagious laugh. You could always rely on him for an uplifting change when you were feeling down.”
Christopher is survived by his partner, Thomas Dance of Dallas, and his father, Stan Reed of Mineral Wells. A celebration of his life was held Oct. 1, and the family asks that memorial contributions be made in his name to the Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund, gdmaf.org.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition October 7, 2016.
