Michael Dean Dulley, Sr.

Michael Dean Dulley Sr., age 66, passed away on August 8, 2024, at Salem Hospital in Salem, Oregon. Mike was born April 7, 1958, in Springfield, Oregon, to Arvol Dean Dulley and Elsie Patricia (Proper) Dulley. He graduated from Lebanon High School in 1976 and furthered his education with classes in automotive mechanics at Linn-Benton Community College. Mike resided in Canby, Oregon with his girlfriend, Myrna Shivley. He was previously married to Beverly Ann (Basl) Dulley and had two children. He was first employed as a mechanic for 15 years, before becoming a Crusher Foreman at Knife River in Keizer, Oregon where he worked the last 30 years.

Mike is survived by his daughter, Carmélle Lee-Ann (Dulley) Bielenberg of Stayton, Oregon; granddaughters, Cheyenne and Susan Cox; his son, Michael Dean Dulley Jr.; daughter-in-law, Candace (Storey) Dulley of Millersburg, Oregon; grandchildren, Abigail and Brandon Dulley. He is also survived by his brother, David Dulley, sister-in-law, Jenny (Smail) Dulley of Millersburg, Oregon; niece, Melisa Dulley; nephews, Adam and Jacob Dulley; his sister, Patricia (Dulley) Roth of Choteau, Montana; nieces, Bridget (Roth) Baeth and Kayla Roth; and nephew, Travis Roth. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arvol Dean Dulley and Elsie Patricia (Proper) Dulley and his brother-in-law, Wayne Amos Roth.

Mike was passionate about cars, particularly creating Rat Rods with unique themes. He enjoyed scavenging through swap meets and going to car shows to look at old cars or show off his latest creation, winning a few trophies in the process. His enthusiasm for his projects was matched by his ability to talk for hours about them.

Among the cherished memories shared by family, his sister, Patty, recalls her brother teaching her to ride a Honda Trail 70 in the cow pasture, playing softball in another pasture, and driving all the neighborhood kids to the Lebanon Roller Skating Rink on Friday nights. She reminded us that Mike was born in the back seat on the way to the hospital, perhaps initiating him into a lifelong affinity for cars. His brother, Dave, reminisces about a special trip they took to Montana last April to visit their sister and pick up an old car, where they bonded over good conversation, food, and no sleep. Dave is grateful he made that trip with his brother. His girlfriend, Myrna, remembers their visits to the State or County Fairs, where Mike would play the games with the expectation of winning, and kids would yell to distract him. During road trips, his “girl”, their Min Pin mix, Macaroon, would always sit on his lap while driving, blocking his view, and would talk back when Mike complained. His kids, Carmélle and Mike Jr., remember how artistic he was, welding old parts together and painting them to create dogs, cats, a turtle, and even a mailman that held their mailbox.

A memorial service will be held in Mike's honor at the Knife River Training Center, 35973 Kennel Rd SE, Albany, OR 97322, on September 8th at 1:00 PM. His ashes will be laid to rest alongside his parents at Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens.