Michael Allen Naruta, 76, of Port Huron Township, died Thursday, October 31, 2024.
He was born to Michael and Zhenovia Naruta on February 29th, 1948 in Ferndale, Michigan. Always eager to learn, Michael attended Lakeport Elementary School, Fort Gratiot Intermediate, Port Huron High School, SC4, Michigan State University, Control Data Institute, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas, and Bethel College, Indiana.
He married Gloria J. Krueger in 1970. A series of difficult events led to his marriage to Barbara S. Parrott in 1980, and together they formed a new family.
A “Michael-Of-All-Trades”, his work history was extensive, varied and interesting. Proud of this history, it was important to Mike that the details were included in his obituary. He started at Stokley Van Camp's in Croswell and was chief electrician at the two Capac Manufacturing plants. He became a Computer Programmer/Analyst for the City of Westland and then worked for the Port Huron Area School District as a janitor and school bus driver. For a time, he was an electrician, framer, and roofer for Krueger Contracting in Harbor Beach and then a journeyman electrician for Carlson Electric in Hudson, South Dakota. His next move took him to Liberia, West Africa where he was a literacy worker for the Institute for Liberian Languages. Upon returning to the states, he served as an electronics technician for Mobile UHF in Garden Grove, California and then as a Computer Programmer/Analyst for Wycliffe Bible Translators in Huntington Beach, California. After moving home to Michigan, Mike settled in Port Huron and became Chief Engineer for Wismer Broadcasting, a Programmer/Service Technician for Time-Data Systems, and Manager M.I.S. for Blue Water Plastics. He was also a contract programmer for Production Tool and Supply in Warren and American Satellite Company (Fairchild).
In addition to his professional endeavors, Michael did much volunteer work throughout his life, touching many people and communities. He was a firefighter with the Burtchville Township Fire Department and the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina. He was especially enthusiastic about his work with the SCC Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management where he served as a driver for the Incident Coordination Support Vehicle, a Skywarn Coordinator, a CERT member, and an assistant emergency coordinator for ARES/RACES. Always trying to learn something or help someone, Mike had his home computers working on off-hours on SETI, LHC, astronomical, and medical research. A Navy MARS member and Coast Guard Auxiliary member, he most recently was part of an experiment to measure the solar eclipse's effect on the ionosphere. Mike donated many hours repairing record and cassette players in St. Clair and Wayne counties to be used for “Talking Books” for the blind and physically handicapped. He also enjoyed participating in Adopt-A-Highway cleanings.
Michael loved his family and friends very deeply and his hobbies were as varied as his careers. He enjoyed sharing his interests with his beloved wife, Barbara. He was thrilled to go on archeological digs with his daughter, Anna, and puzzle through electronics/software mysteries with his son, Dan. Because he grew up on a farm, Mike loved helping things grow; and he enjoyed talking to anyone who would listen about mechanics or electronics. Interested and licensed in amateur radio since childhood, Michael eventually earned the two highest FCC licenses and contributed to the Open High-Performance Software-Designed Radio group. He spent a lot of time building and maintaining amateur radio repeaters for the benefit of local hams, and was a volunteer in Skywarn and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service since the 1970's. Later in life, Mike discovered Tai Chi and physical fitness and went on to teach Tai Chi at SC4, Port Huron Area School District, YMCA, Port Huron Hospital, St. Clair Country Council on Aging, St. Clair County, and Studio 1219. He also loved flying small planes solo all over Michigan. Michael’s desire to preserve the past, specifically family and radio history, and his talent at writing led to four of his articles being published.
Michael is survived by his wife, Barbara S. Naruta; his daughter, Anna N. Naruta; his son, Daniel A. Naruta; daughter-in-law, Melanie M. Pearson-Naruta; his brother, Gordon P. Naruta of Florida; his cousins, Anita Okulich-Heap of Royal Oak, Nick Okulich of Florida, Gerri Naruta-Hammerick of Macomb, Ronni Naruta and Claudia Lizura. He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas R. Forin of Washington.
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon Monday, November 4, 2024 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Michael's family will officiate. The livestream of the noon service may be viewed by visiting Michael’s obituary on the funeral home website.
Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Port Huron.
Contributions may be made in Michael Naruta's memory to the Salvation Army. To send condolences, visit karrersimpson.com
