MICHAEL RAY OBERHOLTZER
Michael Ray Oberholtzer, age 64, passed away on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle.
Michael was born in Kalispell, Montana, on March 10, 1949, to Lawrence and Clarissa Oberholtzer. Mike and his family moved to the Seattle area when he was still in grade school. He graduated from Mountlake Terrace High School in 1967, and joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves. His reserve unit was activated in 1968 when the U.S.S. Pueblo was captured by North Korea. He served two years in the U.S. Air Force.
Mike learned the construction trade starting at the very bottom and learning every phase of home building. He began his construction company in 1976 and prided himself on his craftsmanship and attention to detail. It is evident in the homes he built.
Racing was Mike’s passion. He started drag racing in 1968 while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Upon his return to Seattle in 1969, he became involved in professional flat track motorcycle racing and raced up and down the West Coast for the next four years.
After taking time off from racing to get married and to start his construction company, Mike resumed racing in 1987. Since that time, Mike has competed in several different road racing classes in both SCCA and ICSCC (Conference), winning the 1991 ICSCC “C” Sports Racing championship in 1991.
Mike’s racing career culminated in 2001 when he raced the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona with Team Seattle for Children’s Hospital. It was the race of a lifetime and it was a very fond memory.
Mike and Jan enjoyed traveling after their retirement. They took many wonderful road trips throughout the United States in Mike’s Z06 Corvette. They also went to Tahiti, France, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, and of course their very special place on Kauai.
Mike is survived by his wife, Jan; his mother Clarissa Waller; his sister Chris Jett, her husband Bob Jett and their children Willow Jett Powers, her husband Karl, and Gretchen Jett; his brother Lawrence Oberholtzer, his wife Kelly and their children Skyler Oberholtzer and Ashley Oberholtzer, and his brother John Waller.
The family wishes remembrances to be sent to the Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation, M/S S-200, PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145-5005. A Memorial Service will be at Tahoma National Cemetery, Thursday, June 20, 2013, 11:30 AM, with Military Honors under the auspices of the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories at www.whidbeymemorial.com.

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