In Christ Alone, "Till He returns or calls me home— Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand"

Michael Struve was born August 10,1942 in Lubbock, TX to Minnie (Horton) and Arno Struve. As a family tradition, he had no legal middle name, but if the "need" arose, his wife would often call him, Michael "Nil" Struve. Mike left this world to be in glory with Jesus on Friday, September 9, 2022, after a short battle with cancer. He lived in Abernathy, TX for most of his childhood; flanked by a few years in Albuquerque, NM, when the family lived there in the early 50's. They returned to Abernathy where he continued attending school through his freshman year in high school. For his Sophomore and Junior years, he chose to attend New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) in Roswell, NM. This began the early roots to his future military service. He is proud of his time in the ROTC program at NMMI and was part of the band while there. In the time away at NMMI, he grew to his 6'2" stature, so naturally he was asked to play football for the Abernathy Antelopes, but he politely declined and continued to be a trombonist in the band. Upon graduation in 1960, he attended Texas Technological College, a decision he loved to regret. He knew he wasn't quite ready for college, but he wanted to march with the Goin' Band from Raiderland. He did so for one semester and then enlisted in the US Navy. He had many stories and adventures during his tour of duty in the Navy, his highest rank being Electronics Technician (communications) Petty Officer 2nd Class. One of his favorite stories was when he was stationed in Norfolk, VA during the Cuban missile crisis. Because he was actually on weekend duty when they rounded up sailors to place on ships, he did not have to ship out for that crisis. He finished his active tour of duty on September 9,1963 and returned back to Texas, a day late, for his brother Horton's wedding (thanks to military paperwork). He proudly remained in the Naval reserves until 1974. He enrolled in Texas Tech and returned to his love of marching in the band.

That wasn't the only love he would return for. He happened to attend the Fall Howdy Dance where he met Vicki (Morris). After waiting for a slow song, he finally asked her to dance. They married in May of 1965. While putting himself through school, he worked for KLBK in the evenings. One of his jobs was to put the station to "sleep" at the end of the day. Mike graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Administration in 1968. He worked as an Assistant City Manager for Lubbock, TX until taking the City Manager position at Spearman, TX, in 1972. During this time, they welcomed two daughters: Robyn Gail ('68) and Micki Lane ('72). An important change came after he and Vicki attended a lay-witness mission revival. Mike had grown up in church and knew God had called him into full-time ministry at the age of 13 (but it took him a bit to arrive there). This revival and other life events made them reevaluate their current path. And, by a stream of rapid miracles in paper-pushing, he started seminary at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY in the fall of '74. He was there, in a continued time of revival, with a surprising number of other Texans. Many of these classmates would build great memories and become lifelong friends. He graduated with a Master of Divinity in '77 and was ordain in the then, United Methodist Church. He began his pulpit ministry in Borger, TX ('77- '80). It was in Borger that he and Vicki welcomed their 3rd and final child a daughter, Rebekah Ann ('78). He followed this church with a two-church position in the congregations in Haskell and Paint Creek, TX ('80- '85). From '85- '88 he served the two-church position in the UMC of Wheeler and Allison, TX. Following this position was an appointment in Quanah, TX ('88- '91). His last position in the pulpit was serving the UMC of Ralls, TX ('91- '93). He loved serving all these communities and there isn't enough time to tell the stories of his friends and support in each of these towns. There are many of you that he kept in touch with over the years, and many who have reached out to him in these last days to express your appreciation and love. He found joy in knowing that he made a difference to you. During his last church assignment, he was called into his next ministry. This was a change he didn't know he was looking for, but that God obviously chose for him. He began his ministry in chaplain services first through Methodist Hospital in Lubbock, followed by St. Mary's of the Plains Hospital in Lubbock, only for the two hospitals to merge as Covenant Hospital in '97. He eventually retired from full-time ministry in '04. He never really left his call to pastor, he remained in ministry by actively serving in his church, The Springs Fellowship however he was needed. No job was too little, even picking up the weekly donuts. He loved this community through many transitions and changes. He never stopped loving people even if they moved onward. He spoke of many friends through the years as being integral people in his fellowship journey. He was committed to supporting the pastors God placed over him in leadership. He worked at supporting them from a place of knowing what it was like being the preacher.

He and Vicki retired to travel. In their Fifth wheel and RV they traveled to see the US and to do fun jobs if needed. Initially, they went to Florida, where they worked for Disney World. He jokes about saving his work in foodservices until the end. They continued their passion for traveling on many adventures, mostly in their RV, but not always limited to 4 wheels. He came up shy of one goal and that was to see all 50 states, just missing Alaska. They would always return to Texas as family needs arose. Age and family needs put the RV travel on the back burner. For the past few years, along with one of his best friends from elementary school, he opened a private shop to restore classic cars (and drink coffee) in Abernathy. They started with Mike's first car, a hand-me-down from his aunt, it was a 1950 Plymouth (which lived in a barn from early 1960's until mid-2000's). A recent joy was when he found his dream car a 1966 Dodge Charger (they had owned one in the 70's which he had always wished he had put that one in the barn as well). In addition, Mike was a member, Chaplain and Honor Guard in the local Abernathy American Legion Post 500. He was also a past member of multiple districts of the Lions Clubs.

Mike loved Jesus and is by no doubt with him in Glory. His final hours were spent with his family as they sang him to Heaven. He is proceeded in death by his parents, Minnie and Arno Struve, and his son-in-law Jamie Spearman. He is celebrated for his life well lived by his wife of 57 years, Vicki Struve, his oldest favorite daughter Robyn Bulham with husband Bobby and two grandchildren Rhys Bulham and Bethany Bulham of Frisco, TX, his middle favorite daughter Micki (Spearman) Jackson and husband Ken of Lubbock, TX, and youngest favorite daughter Rebekah Parkinson and husband David of Abernathy, TX. He is also survived by his 3 older siblings, Mona Toler of Abernathy, TX, Gail Struve of Lubbock, TX and Horton Struve and wife Sandy of Lubbock; Brother-in-law Martin Morris and wife Pat of New Braunfels and his sister-in-law Kathy Walker and husband Dwight of Oregon City, OR. He also leaves many nieces, nephews and a large extended family. We would like to recognize Berta Jackson and his best friend Tommy Matthews, who were as close as family can get without blood.

Celebration of his life will be at The Spring Fellowship, in Lubbock, on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. The family will have a private gathering at the cemetery for burial.  The honorary pallbearers are Bobby Bulham, Ken Jackson, David Parkinson, Rhys Bulham, Tommy Matthews, Thomas Petit, and Jeff Wise.

U pon Mike's request, we asked that in lieu of flowers, please give a donation to Reyo de Esperanza (Guatemalan missions) or to The Springs Fellowship benevolence fund (both are through The Springs Fellowship of Lubbock) or to the Lubbock Honor Flight for Veterans. We thank the nurses of Covenant Oncology, Hospice of Lubbock and Ramage Funeral Directors for their care and comfort of our family these last few days.