Kirk Wilhelm Michaelis

Obituary

Kirk Wilhelm Michaelis
October 21, 1960 - February 24, 2025

Kirk Michaelis was born on October 21, 1960 in Galveston, Texas, the third son of Mickey and Bobbi Michaelis. He was raised there on the island with his older siblings, Mike and Brandie. Kirk's mother described him as "constant motion" as a child. When they went on vacation, they'd send Kirk on a plane to meet them, because there was no way they could have him ride in the car that long with the rest of the family. The teachers at school had to tie him to his chair with his sweater. He just couldn't sit still.

Kirk was very proud of his father, "Mickey" and wanted to be like him in many ways. He also had a close relationship with his mother, "Bobbi." He always wanted to see his mom happy, make her laugh, make her proud. He tried to do that his‬ whole life. He always took care of her. He had many fond memories with his brother and sister that the whole family would laugh hysterically about over holiday meals. 

Kirk was a family man to say the least. His be-all, end-all was Tammy. Their girls were blessed with the gift of music, so he did everything in his power to make them stars. They all have the most fond memories of driving cross county in the motor home to shows and radio stations. It was Kirk's way to just walk them in the front door with their instruments and somehow get them on stage or on the air. He was always side stage, always on the sidelines, always involved. A manager, a bus driver, a soccer coach, a chaperone, he even performed in the Nutcracker ballet, because whatever the girls wanted to do, Kirk made it special.

Kirk embarked on several business ventures throughout his life. After college, he took over the family business and ran the restaurant, The Original Hills, in Galveston. He opened Mickey's Oyster Bar, with his brother Mike. He was a part of The Bird of Paradise Bar and Grill in Houston. He had an air duct cleaning company and an ammunition reloading company. He sold racquetball equipment. He owned a donut shop until he then put his heart and soul, and all of his savings, into the bakery. During the early years of El Bolillo, Kirk was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and was a given a 20% chance to live - to which he said, "I'll take it." A several years of chemotherapy, which he paid for in pan dulce because he had no insurance, Kirk beat cancer and made it his mission to give back. He brought tres leches cakes and pan dulce to many events around Houston as he always felt a sense of indebtedness to the community for the support they gave him during those difficult years. No matter who walked in, he loved to give tours around the store, wearing his shirt that said "Si, yo soy El Bolillo" on back - which is slang for "the white boy." El Bolillo Bakery became the #1 Mexican Bakery in Houston... then in Texas... then in the United States. He eventually opened three more of them with his partner & father-in-law, Bud Harmon. 

After selling the bakeries, Kirk told Tammy he wanted to travel the world with her. He wanted to "go, go, go!" The two of them traveled to many countries and had the most fun together. They were married on February 9th, 1985 and had been together for 45 years. Kirk loved to celebrate his love with Tammy no matter the occasion. Their last big trip was for their 40th wedding anniversary with dear friends in Mexico on the beach - his favorite.

Kirk was preceded in death by his parents Charles J. Michaelis III “Mickey” and Barbara Falgout Michaelis “Bobbi.” Survived by loving wife, Tammy Harmon Michaelis, daughters Meagan Brandt (Colby), Mallory Michaelis (Austin), Madeline Haney (Dustin), and grandchildren Trax Brandt, Wyatt Haney, Alexandria Brandt, and soon to join the family, Stetson Kirk Haney, brother Mike Michaelis, sister Brandie Michaelis, nieces and nephews Charles J Michaelis V, TJ Gobroski, Mikki Skinner, Blake Harmon, and Brittany Patton, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

October 21, 1960 — February 24, 2025

Some people have stories, Kirk WAS the story. He loved nothing more than to come up with an idea, make it happen, and then laugh about it all one day. It didn't matter how high it was, how deep it looked, how fast he was going, how dangerous it could have been, how funny it wasn't, how romantic, or how kind the idea was... Kirk loved to make every moment of life something worth talking about.

Kirk lived life at full speed, seemingly fearless and unstoppable. He was the guy doing headstands on the hood of a moving car, jumping trains just for the thrill, flipping off buildings like gravity didn't apply to him. He believed he was invincible, and to everyone that knew him, it seemed true. Beneath all the wild stunts and crazy ideas was a heart just as big as his personality. He was the guy who remembered birthdays, who showed up with cake and laughter, who played major pranks. He liked to get in the middle of everything.

He was honest to a fault- if he had something to say, you knew you were going to hear it, unfiltered and straight from the heart. Whether you liked him or didn't, you remembered him. Somehow Kirk was always the center of attention. He was bold. He was hilarious. He was also such a promotor- a marketing genius - for the bakeries, for the girls, for Tammy, and for his family and friends. He would make everyone sound like they were the best in the world at what they did. 
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You likely know the tragedy of Kirk’s childhood that played a big part in the man he became.‬ When Kirk was nine years old, his family house that had just been built burned down on Christmas Eve of 1969. They all made it out of the house but they lost everything they had. Kirk’s‬ grandfather passed away of a heart attack watching the house burn down fearing the whole‬ family had perished in the fire. Kirk loved to talk about how the community brought them‬ presents the next morning for Christmas. The family moved into the Fort Crockett apartments‬ after their home burned and while they were living there, in August of 1971, Kirk’s father‬ passed away.‬ These events changed the family forever. From then on, Kirk was always on a mission to make his mother laugh and make her proud. Til the end of her life, he took care of her. 

Kirk went to school at Southwest Texas State. He would call himself a late bloomer. He played‬ tennis in college, but when he discovered racquetball there, his athleticism‬ really blossomed. He was winning matches all over the country. He got‬ sponsored by Ektelon and was champion of Texas in racquetball, as well as a champion in other states. Kirk would play so hard that his gums would bleed from gritting his teeth.‬ People swore he could fly. He had an incredible kill shot - when he pulled that out, he was impossible to defeat. He was known to show up to the court in different colored‬ shoes or a silly looking sweat band to make his competitors think he was goofy and wouldn't play well. He sometimes would play left-handed and would purposely let his opponent win a few points.‬ Then he’d turn around to them and say, "I’ll use my right hand now." One time he beat a guy with his shoe.‬ And in Kirk style, he ended every winning match with a standing back tuck. 
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In the fall of his first year at Southwest, Kirk got set up on a blind date to a sorority Halloween Party. A friend asked him to take her friend who didn't have a‬ date. Kirk thought at that moment, “Oh great, I’m getting set up with an ugly girl‬ who can’t get a date.” Boy was he blown away to see Tammy Harmon walk up. They went to a fabric store together and worked on their costumes - a giant gorilla and Jane. Tammy's first impression was that he opened the door for her, and that he was FUN. She recalls saying right before she met him, "I just want to meet somebody fun" ....she always said she got more than she asked for. He brought a bottle of champagne to share that night which never got popped, so he saved it for their wedding night.

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Memory wall

March 7, 2025

My brother Kirk, I'm having a hard time coming up with words to use in the past tense to describe our friendship. Because I'm still having a hard time believing that you're gone! It was a punch in the gut that no one was ready for or will not get over for a very long time! A word that comes to mind to describe you would simply be An Angel. (A wild, crazy and a fun loving one)! You were always there to bring a smile to anyone you would meet, or how you would practically do almost anything to bring a smile or laughter to little children with your magic and card tricks. You were one of a kind, Kirk and one that will never be duplicated (maybe your grandson Trax will come close)! If I had one wish, it would be for everyone to be a little like you to make this world a better place! ❤️ Love you my brother, till we meet again.

Alfio Lofaro

March 7, 2025

When I think back to my childhood, some of my most cherished memories are the ones I shared with Kirk. Kirk had a way of turning every moment into an adventure. He somehow convinced four-year-old me to jump off Gran’s roof into the swimming pool something that seems unbelievable now, but at the time, with Kirk’s infectious enthusiasm and unwavering confidence in me, it felt like the most natural thing.
He had this incredible ability to make everything fun. I can still see him in his gorilla costume, chasing me around Gran’s house, his laughter permeating behind me between gorilla grunts. No matter what we were doing, Kirk always had a smile on his face and an infectious energy that made you believe anything was possible.
Looking at the life he lived, that’s exactly who he was fearless, full of life, and always lifting others up. He had a way of making people feel like they could do anything, and I will always be grateful for the way he made me feel as a youngster. Kirk wasn’t just larger than life he made life larger for everyone around him. His presence will be sincerely missed, but his spirit will always live on in the stories, the laughter, and the innumerable lives he touched.

James Scott

March 7, 2025

I’m blessed. I have great friends. But these three are my brothers. Kirk, your passing is gut wrenching I feel like a part of me has been ripped out. This one hurts….bad. Kirk was a special person. Kind, caring, loyal. He made everyone feel like they were the center of attention. He loved hard; without a need for reciprocation. He was a true friend to so many. He’s irreplaceable. But I believe there is a higher calling for him or God wouldn’t have taken him home. He will be missed. But I take joy in knowing I’ll see him again down the road. Love ya man. Via con Dios my brother.

Jimmy Johnson

March 6, 2025

Even though I moved away over 20 years ago, Kirk and I would stay in touch with a quick text or call just to stay current on our adventures. I don't recall the last time we connected in person aside from when Meagan, Mallory and Madeline sang in Athens, GA back in 2014. We had a great night, and I was able to find this photo with all of our children together. Prior to my departure, we played a little tennis (not sure I ever won a point) and rode together in a few MS 150 bike rides (150 miles over 2-day ride). Funniest memory was when Kirk and Tammy arrived quite sometime after everyone else (keep in mind over 13,000 riders) only to find out they had stopped for a nice lunch and to do some shopping.

We miss you, Kirk!

Rob Haddock

March 5, 2025

I will miss you dear friend!

Alex Soler

March 4, 2025

Kirk, no words can EVER express how much you mean to us, me, Mom and of course Carmen. We will always love you. You lit up not just rooms, you lit up our lives , you made our hearts beat with joy just buy entering a room with that energy and dmile! Thank you for being the wonderful , exquisite, unpredictable person we adored! We’ll love you forever, brother.

Louise Melilli

Family tree

Charles J. Michaelis II

Margaret (Cox) Michaelis

Tilman Joseph Falgout Sr

Mae M (Fregnet) Falgout

Charles J. Michaelis III
"Mickey"

Barbara (Falgout) Michaelis
"Bobbi"

Tammy (Harmon) Michaelis 

Barbara Michaelis"Brandie"

Charles J. Michaelis IV
"Mike"

Mallory Michaelis

Meagan Michaelis
(Brandt)

Trax Brandt

Alexandria Brandt

Madeline Michaelis
(Haney)

Wyatt Haney

Stetson Haney

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Barbara Michaelis"Brandie"

Charles J. Michaelis IV
"Mike"

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Tammy (Harmon) Michaelis 

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Mallory Michaelis

Meagan Michaelis
(Brandt)

Trax Brandt

Alexandria Brandt

Madeline Michaelis
(Haney)

Wyatt Haney

Stetson Haney

Kirk Michaelis

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