Michael Allen Bordelon, 72, of Silverton, Oregon, passed away peacefully at home on April 2, 2024, surrounded by family. Mike was one of five kids born to Patricia and Allen Bordelon of Sand Springs, Oklahoma. After graduating from high school in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, he completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in forestry at Oklahoma State University (BS) and the University of Idaho (MS). He funded his education by fighting wildfires, first with the Forest Service and later with the BLM Smokejumpers out of Fairbanks, Alaska.
Mike met Laure, the love of his life, at a University of Idaho square dance. They celebrated their honeymoon by driving from Alaska to Guatemala in their blue 1975 pick-up. This was the beginning of adventures that continued through their 48 years of marriage.
In 1987 Mike, Laure and their three young children moved to Oregon when Mike began working as a forest geneticist with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). A highlight of his career was the development of an innovative 20-year forest management plan for the state, a process that required stalwart commitment to consensus and compromise. More than any single achievement, though, his legacy at ODF was as an even-keeled leader, trusted mentor, and dear friend to those he worked with.
He retired after 28 years as the State Forests Division Chief.
A sportsman, Mike’s love for saltwater fishing became his retirement occupation when he put a live-fish permit on the F/V Blackjack, called his retired buddies, and joined the commercial fishing fleet at Port Orford.
His family and friends remember his playful and generous spirit. From poker games to “boobie-bobbers”, lawn-surfing to ladder golf, Mike was always the force behind the fun. His storytelling abilities were especially cherished by those who were left in stitches over Mike’s endless misadventures. Mike treasured his family and their many adventures together over the years.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Silver Falls’ Smith Creek Meeting Hall on Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Josiah Selvy Memorial Scholarship at Pacific High School (send to: P.O. Box 8, Port Orford, OR 97465) or Northwest Youth Corps (mightycause.com/organization/nwyouthcorps).
