Michael John Rye

Michael John Rye 3/22/1969 - 3/4/2022

Born in Dickson TN to Solomon John Rye Jr. and Michelle Haynie on March 22, 1969, Michael John Rye would be the first-born grandson to both the Rye and Haynie families, resulting in lots of doting and spoiling.  Michael was the oldest of 6 and is survived by his brothers Danny, Johnny and Seth and his sisters Keri and Julie.  Growing up in Douglas, AZ, they spent their days dirt bike riding, fixing cars, and getting into all kinds of trouble.  Michael was always fascinated with technology and would spend hours fiddling with old tv tubes and any computer and computer game he could get his hands on. He was always the one family turned to throughout the years to help with technology issues.

His determination to be self-reliant and his gift of logic, deduction, precision and self-learning allowed Michael to eventually work for Los Alamos National Labs then for Sandia National Labs for almost 30 years. While he had only a High School education, he became an exceptional Microscopist and expert in using a Focused Ion Beam (FIB).  Michael was recognized often for his contributions at work and worked alongside some of the most brilliant minds. Over the years, he has received recognition for patents and research, and recently received a prestigious staff award. His co-workers appreciated and depended on his ability to do what he set out to do and would often wait patiently for his help because he was the most talented and capable at what he did. He took his work seriously and made sure that he did his best every day.

Michael was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He loved to serve and help others in quiet ways.  Recently on his way home from Church he watched a huge accident happen that involved a woman and her small children.  He arrived home late and only said, "There was a huge horrible accident that I stopped to help with on the way home."  A week later four people at different times recounted the heroic actions he took.  They described him as the first on the scene to take one of the little boys out of the car and wrap his arms around him to comfort and calm him down.  One woman told me that as she watched Michael it was a tender and loving moment that reminded her of the Savior and it brought her to tears.  When asked about the accuracy of the conversations, Michael just responded, "I just did what needed to be done.  It was no big deal." He was laser focused on being obedient to the commandments of God and in becoming like Jesus Christ.  In those moments when he thought he fell short of the mark, he would always pick himself back up and just keep trying.

Michael married Sally Justice on November 1, 1987. Together they had three children that became his world.  Kyle, Tori and Mateja were young when the couple decided to divorce.  He would tell you that was one of the most difficult times of his life, but he made sure that he was still very involved with his children and wanted them to know he loved them.  As a result, he would spend time with them on the weekends and would bring them with him on Sunday where they attended church at the LDS Singles Ward in Albuquerque.  This beautiful little family would capture the heart of Tessa Campbell and on May 30, 1997 Tessa and Michael were sealed for time and eternity in the Logan, UT Temple.  Four years after their marriage, McKenna Jo Rye was born and Michael had another girl wrapped around his finger. Those two would become almost inseparable and were always having fun while Tessa was working.  While living in Los Lunas, NM, the couple invited Robin and Britney (Michael's nieces) to live with them for a time and it was not uncommon to hear "Uncle MiiiKkke".  Tessa traveled for work often leaving Michael to fend for himself with all these teenage girls.  One evening Michael called Tessa and explained that "All the girls were crying."  He was beside himself not knowing how to "fix it".  He didn't always handle the girls and their emotions with grace, but on this occasion, he was brilliant and bought them all kinds of junk food and a "chick flick" hoping to console them.

The benefits of having a house full of girls was when boys would come to the house on the weekends. Recently one of those boys reached out and said, he came over with one of our girls just to hang out with Michael and play games and that even when Michael was trying to be intimidating and find out what the "intentions were", he was still too nice. Michael was unaware of his influence for good on young men throughout the years in his church callings and through our girls.  His son Kyle brought Michael pride and joy as he and Michael shared much of the same hobbies and interests and a few weeks ago after a visit from Kyle, Michael remarked on what a good, responsible and kind man Kyle has become. Michael felt a great responsibility for his grandson Liam and would have him over every weekend to be a father-figure for him.  It was important to Michael that Liam had a good male influence.  They became forever buddies and friends and when Liam moved to ID, Michael would comment every Friday, "I miss Liam" and one of the last things he texted the day he died was how much he was missing Liam. He loved being "Papa".  By example, and love; laughter and fun, Michael showed young men what it was to be a father, grandfather and husband. His love for his children, 5 (soon-to-be 6) grandchildren and wife was and still remains so deep and profound that it brought him his greatest joys and sometimes his greatest heartache.

Everything he did revolved around his family, including improving and caring for himself physically.  He was determined to be there for them and be able to play hard. He will forever be a voice in our heads when eating something unhealthy or don't exercise like we should. His love for a physical challenge and taking time to enjoy life to its fullest was also a priority. Camping, hiking and traveling to the beach were always favorite family adventures.  He loved Moab and cycling on Slick Rock.  Road biking and mountain biking was what he loved to do and in the last few years he turned to dirt bikes and ATV's. On Friday, March 4, 2022, Michael was out on the ATV doing what he loved and ended up rolling the vehicle receiving a deadly head injury. While his family, friends, and co-workers are all devastated, shocked and so sad, it is comforting to know that he was happy and doing what he loved.  His life was lived to the fullest and if he were here, he would tell everyone that his life is not over, but that he is just off having a new adventure.  He would want everyone to experience joy now even in the sorrow and the hard times. He would want us all to live our best lives and trust in God and His Son Jesus Christ so that when we are reunited again, we will have no regrets.  He would want us to remember that we will see him again and when we do, he will want to share about all his new adventures.

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Mar 12, 2022 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Brother Rye's Funeral

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