Michael (Mikey) Garrett

Mikey was a close friend of my son-in-law, and I met him in 2012 when he was a groomsman in Manny and Janna’s wedding. From then on we always chatted at parties, and I was so grateful Manny had a friend he could hike with and get out in nature. They motivated each other! And it was a tragic loss to lose Mikey so young. Our families will miss him forever.

I still haven't fully processed that you're gone, Mikey.

I met Mikey over the last year. And he became one of my most cherished friends. One day, we were hanging out, and he noticed my tire was half flat. He ran home real quick and filled my tire with an automated pump he had lying around. That's just the type of guy he was. Always there to lend a hand.

We had a lot in common. Going through a divorce at the same time. Both used to work at NPS. IT/Computer guys, gadget heads. I remember one night he showed up late because of a "fire" he had to put out at work, and he came running up to me to shop talk about it, since he knew I'd understand what the problem was. He also was just always there to listen.

I remember about July 1st, I was thinking... "Man, I should really text Mikey, I miss that guy"... and I didn't. Then we all found out he was gone.

He seemed to live life to the fullest, but damn I wish we all had more time with his beautiful soul.

I keep losing friends, and it never gets easier. But this one hit especially hard.

Rest well, Mikey.

Mikey was a close friend of my husband Kevin's, and a part of my walking group, Walk Every Street PG. My friend Amy and I started the walking group together in January 2025. I was so appreciative that Mikey decided to join us. He and my husband Kevin had become such good friends. It meant a lot to me that Mikey chose to be in our world and join our walking group, and that's how I first met him in early 2025.

We completed our last walk 25 weeks after we started, on Wednesday, July 9, just a few days after he passed away. We talked about Mikey that night at Asilomar Social Hall, not yet knowing that we had lost him - how we wished he was with us celebrating the completion of the final streets. We knew he had been busy with work, so we assumed we'd see him soon. A group of us were making plans to go bowling - Mikey was really looking forward to that.

Our hearts were shattered when we found out that night, driving home from our celebration, that Mikey had passed. We pulled over on Highway 68 near Pebble Beach to take the call. I want to thank his dear friend Lisa for letting us know with such compassion. It meant the world to us.

Here is what we shared about Mikey with our walking group on July 12th on Instagram (@WalkEveryStreetPG):

"It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share that our dear friend and walker, Mikey Garrett, passed away in a tragic accident on Sunday, July 6. Mikey was close friends with our walkers Kevin (Ashley's husband) and John. Mikey loved joining for our walks when his work schedule allowed. He was a gentle spirit, a kind listener, and an engaged conversationalist with a great sense of humor. And he gave big, wonderful hugs! We'll never forget the goodness that he brought into our lives by just being him. You are loved, appreciated, and missed, Mikey."

I thought Mikey would be in our lives forever. We just felt connected to him and comfortable in his grounding presence. I'm glad Kevin and I got to host Mikey at our home, along with our friends Amy and Tessa (who also adored him), for dinner in early June. It was a laughter-filled dinner party, followed by a comedy show in Carmel, and then hot tea and good conversation back at our place, late into the night.

Thank you Mikey, for choosing to spend time with us and giving us great memories. We wish you were still here. We will remember you with love and gratitude, always.

I’ve sat with the news of Mikey’s death for weeks trying to process the shock and find the right words, I’ve felt devastated, heartbroken, and confused. We were supposed to go bowling soon… and now he is gone? It’s unbelievable and unfair.

Mikey wore a big bright smile, gave great bear hugs, and had a goofy - very endearing - chuckle of a laugh. His heart was huge, and as a mutual friend said: “To know him was to love him.”

Mikey lived as an amazing human being. He was kind, gentle, understanding, loyal, funny, compassionate, intelligent, and thoughtful. He was a great listener and asked the best, most introspective, questions. He made me think hard and deep for an answer. He helped me think differently about myself and the world.

I’d only gotten to know him in the past year, but Mikey was that rare person whom once you meet them you feel like you’ve known him your whole life. I’d shared with him once that my dream has always been to be a writer, and a few weeks later he took me out to lunch and surprised me with an antique typewriter as a gift. It was so touching and supportive at a time I really needed it.

We supported each other through a year when we each faced big challenges. It’s so hard to forge new friendships as an adult, and even rarer to develop one so deep in such a brief amount of time. I feel privileged to have known such a caring and sensitive person and to have grown and matured together as a result of our friendship.

To the people in his life, it was clear how much joy and light Mikey rediscovered in himself over the last few months. We were so excited for the long future we’d assumed was before him. His death is gutting.

For those friends and loved ones left behind, trying to make sense of this all we can is hold onto Mikey’s memory and bring those kind, caring, and thoughtful parts of himself that he’d shared with us into the world every day, and hope we can be a fraction of the friend he was.

Mikey, I can’t believe you’re gone. We miss you so much, know that you are loved.

I know people tend to remember those missed fondly, but it is no exaggeration to say that Mikey was one of the friendliest people I have met here. He just made you feel like a friend, even if you didn't really know him. I made sure he knew I envied his office and his beard, and he'd just get a big smile and say some nice, humble thing back to me.

You'll be missed Mikey.

It's been 2 weeks since you were taken away from us. We think of you before sleep, we think of you on our first wake, we think about you throughout the day. You were on such a great path to happiness, going back to doing things you really loved, reconnecting with those who brought positive energy, light, and joy into your life. Meeting new people and creating even more friendships. You are sorely missed, Mikey! We are still in disbelief. But we will honor your life by remembering and always celebrating you. You will be forever missed. Rest easy our dear friend. I know Charles welcomed you with lots of love, hugs, and kisses!!

I met Mikey through A Taste of Monterey. He came to be a great friend. He was a very funny guy. He had a great sense of humor. When NPS needed a Manager for the Trident Room, I recruited him. As we worked together, we often talked about food and wine and pairings. Mikey and I then started Corkz &Forkz which became a popular wine pairing event at NPS. Everyone who came to the Trident Room loved Mikey. I sure will miss him.

You were a vibrant spirit and kindred soul, only looking to bring joy to people. Thinking of your energy, kindness, and forever paying it onward.

This is very hard and even harder to believe, on 07/03/25 Mikey and I were laughing, joking and talking as we often did for the past maybe 2 1/2 yrs. at work. Especially since his office is across from mine. And to be told on 07/07/25, the kind and caring person, I came to know has passed. We shared conversations that covered various topics and for sure he will be missed. Mikey was a kind and caring person, who was always willing to assist anyone and everyone.

The morning greetings & talks will be missed, rest easy and peacefully Mikey.

AJ

They say, Only the Good Die Young, and Mikey, you were definitely one of the GOOD GUYS! Rest in Peace Dear Friend. You will be dearly missed!💔🙏🏻💔🙏🏻💔🙏🏻💔🙏🏻

Mikey was such an amazing person. He always made people feel welcomed and important no matter the situation. He will be deeply missed by friends family and everyone that had the pleasure of interacting with him. I will miss our hikes, video game sessions, running sessions, and talks in and out of work. Rest in peace friend.

I first met Mikey in a college course at Monterey Peninsula College, around 2018-2019. I immediately felt the cool, laid back energy he lived with. We talked several times about IT, and job stuff. Fast forward a few years, and I see him in my work center as a new hire! We reconnected, and remembered that we had previously had class together. From that point on, he always made it a point to check in with me, say hello, and give me a fist bump. One day, I remember commenting on all of the nice Cisco gear he would wear, and he casually asked my size. Fast forward a month, and he brought me a Cisco vest! That vest will remind me to bring that positive energy, as Mikey always did.

After my first day of table setting, my first day ever in a restaurant, Mikey walked into the training room and said “oh this guy is a restaurant person.”

I worked in restaurants for 15 years after that…

Thanks Mikey. You’ll be missed.

If you met Mikey, you liked Mikey. He was a genuinely selfless person who put the needs of others above his own. The hole that you leave behind will be impossible to fill. I am going to miss your laughs and big hugs.

It’s hard to put into words what it feels like to lose someone like Mikey. He was truly one of a kind.

Quick to lend a hand and share a joke, Mikey was always the first to say yes to whatever fun or wild plan was next. Overflowing with energy, always chasing the next adventure, and somehow managing to make everyone around him feel important. As soon as you met him, you were his friend.

Many of us met at Bubba’s in Monterey and have formed lifelong friendships. Mikey was at the heart of it all. The chaos and the fun created memories that we’ll carry forever. We always have and will continue to quote some of our favorite Mikey moments. ;)

His sudden passing has left a deep ache in all of us. It doesn’t feel real that someone so full of life could be gone. But I know that the light he brought into the world, the love he showed so freely, and the way he made all of us feel seen and celebrated will never fade. We’ll carry it with us, always.

Mikey, thank you for the joy, the memories, the love, and the friendship. You’ll forever be the best cabana boy, rattlesnake rescuer, and wedding singer. You’re deeply missed and forever loved.

Mikey had a contagious energy and gave the absolute BEST hugs. He could make you feel like the center of the world and I am so grateful to have known him. As my first trainer at Bubba's, he's responsible for giving me the moniker 'Jilly' :)

The world lost a true gem this week...

Mikey was the best and always brought the best out of everyone. Mikey will be terribly missed by all who knew him. Everyone at FNMOC, especially his Red Hat Renegade team, will always remember his great personality and willingness to help in anyway he could. We sure are left with a Mikey-sized hole, but will remember the great Fleetnumerican he was. RIP Mikey and thank you for your friendship.

I can’t believe Mikey is gone. He was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known. Genuine, thoughtful, and always looking out for others. He brought energy, laughter, and warmth wherever he went. I’ve got nothing but great memories with him. Good times I’ll never forget. He was the life of the party, and he truly cared about the people around him. My heart breaks knowing he’s gone. The world won’t be the same without him. My deepest condolences to his family and everyone who loved him.

Wow, so sad to hear. Mikey was the best! I just loved that guy. He was a good soul and a great person and was just a joy to know. He was a part of so many of the Bubba Gump events and was just really a part of the soul of that team. He was the guy you could always count on to light up a room or help out and one of those rare people who just make everything better.

Mikey was my neighbor and the nicest, kindest man I ever had the pleasure to know. I recently had to have surgery and Mikey took care of my cat, Bandit, for weeks. I don't know what I would have done without Mikey's generous offer to watch over Bandit. I was shocked and extremely saddened to hear of his passing. Rest in Peace, Mikey. You will be greatly missed. Prayers and condolences to your family and friends.