Michael John Sears 1965 - 2022

Michael passed away March 2, 2022 , at the age of 57, in Richmond, Virginia. Michael was born February 17, 1965, in McMinnville, Oregon, to David and Ardith Sears. When he was four the family moved to Sheridan and then to Hood River at age seven.

He graduated from Cascade Locks High School, attended Mount Hood Community College and received a bachelor's degree in Political Science and from the School of Journalism at the University of Oregon.

Following high school, his career began as a ceramics maker in Kibbutz Kfar Menachem, Israel, where he volunteered for 18 months; a county government reporter for the Napa Valley Register; a crime reporter for the Antioch Ledger-Dispatch; and a Foreign Service officer at the U.S. Department of State with postings in Washington, D.C., Moldova, Moscow, Russia, Croatia, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was the recipient of many state department awards, including Superior Honor award and Meritorious Honor awards for his service.

He is survived by his wife, Stela; their three boys, Zachary, Alexander and Gabriel; his sister, Carolyn LaDouceur (Tim); brother, Larry; nephews, Ryan LaDouceur (Monica), and Elliott Sears; nieces, Katie Kelley (Adam), and Linn Sears; and many dear aunts, uncles and cousins.