Mike Eddy

Clayton Michael (Mike) Eddy

August 23,1949 - August 18, 2024

Clayton Michael (Mike) Eddy passed away at his home in Vale on August 18, 2024, attended to by members of his loving family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Vale on August 30 at 1:00 PM. 

Mike was born in Ontario, Oregon on August 23, 1949, to parents Clayton and Jean Eddy. Other than college and military training, he lived his entire life in Vale, Oregon. He graduated from Vale High School in 1967, after helping lead the football team to a State Championship. He then began his college career at Treasure Valley Community College and subsequently graduated from Eastern Oregon University. During those college years Mike also married the true love of his life, Tami Tropf in 1968. They absolutely adored each other for 30 years until Tami’s sudden and tragic passing in 1998. 

Also, during Mike’s college career came an interruption for brief stints in Texas and Colorado for training in the Idaho Air National Guard. He served six years as a radar technician. After finishing college, Mike and Tami moved back to Vale and began long careers in education and raised a family. 

Mike began his teaching journey at Willowcreek Elementary School and ended it nearly 40 years later when he retired in 2009 from Harper Charter School. During this time as both a trusted teacher and revered football coach, Mike positively influenced and had a profound effect on literally hundreds of students. Former students and players named their children after him, modeled his demeanor and values, and continued to seek him out for guidance and advice years after they left school. Each spring and summer, Mike received countless invitations to graduations and weddings, and he always responded. He was just as good a friend and mentor to his co-workers and fellow coaches. 

Mike was an avid outdoorsman who loved farming, hunting, fishing, and just exploring the mountains and desert, always with family and friends in tow. He loved deer hunting around Vale, Bighorn Sheep hunting in the Owyhee's, elk hunting in Unity (always staying at lifelong friend Mike Olsen’s cabin), and fishing in Alaska. After his first visit to Alaska 35 years ago, Mike fell in love with the state and visited many times over the years. He loved sharing his experiences with family, especially his grandsons who received a special trip with Grandpa when they turned 12. He also enjoyed travel to other locations and especially loved his trips to Ireland and to see his Notre Dame team play in South Bend, accompanied by his brother Bob. 

As much as Mike enjoyed other aspects of his life, family was what really mattered to him. He was a conscientious and caring son and an adoring husband. As a brother, he was second to none and helped the four siblings form an unshakable bond. As a father he was kind, understanding, patient, and always there when needed, no matter the crisis. Mike was a devoted and loving grandfather and a trusted friend throughout the Vale community and beyond. 

Mike is survived by his children, sons Tim (Jenny) of Vale, Pat (Amy) of Vale, and Dennis (Chelsie) of Ontario; daughter J.J. Gonzalez (Michael) of Meridian, Idaho; brothers Bob of Minden, Nevada and Joe (Karen) of Boardman, Oregon; sister Toni Feist (Kevin) of Eugene, Oregon; sister-in-law Sandee Larson (John) of Boise, Idaho; grandchildren Dawson, Dallin, Damick, Tyson, Aydin, Sean, Adlie, Brody, and Deegan; great grandchildren Jaxson, Alexis, Gage, and Davis; 10 nieces and nephews; and friends too numerous to count. Mike cherished family above all else in his life and his family will miss him tremendously! 

Condolences to the family at www.lienkaemper-thomason.com.