Monday, February 10, 2025

Obituaries

MICHAEL CRAIG DRAGOO • 04/21/1941 – 12/30/2024

Michael Craig Dragoo, age 83, passed away peacefully December 30, 2024, at The Californian Assisted Living and Dementia Care facility in Woodland, where he had resided the last 3 months. Born on April 21, 1941, in Kansas, he was the son of Edgar and Charlotte Dragoo and was the middle of 2 brothers, Montie and Thomas.  His family moved to Southern California in 1944, where they settled in Hawthorne after his father returned from serving as a Marine in World War 11. Mike enjoyed school and excelled in wrestling and swimming, achieving the Life Guard level. These accomplishments reflected his determination, discipline, and love for physical challenges, traits that would define his approach to both his career and family life. He treasured his adventures and campouts with his Boy Scout troop and the annual family camping trips to state and national parks, memories that nurtured his lifelong love of the outdoors.

At the age of 23, Mike met Martha, the love of his life, while they were both working for the concessionaire at Sequoia National Park during the Christmas season. They were married in August 1966 and celebrated 58 wonderful years together, building a family and life rich in love and shared adventures.

Mike and Martha moved to Arcata where Mike pursued his passion for nature and conservation at Humboldt State University, earning his degree in Natural Resources in 1972, the same year Ashley, their first son was born. His dream came true in 1973 when he became a California State Park Ranger, beginning his career at Big Basin Redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. His role as a Ranger allowed him to combine his love for the outdoors with his dedication to educating and inspiring others through interpretive talks and campground activities. His next assignment included San Clemente, San Onofre, and Doheny State Beaches where he performed cliff rescues, campground supervision and giving Interpretive Ranger talks. In 1978, the family moved to Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area in Northern California where their twins, Adam and Aaron, were born. In addition to campground activities, he loved hiking and surveying the boundaries of the over 1000-acre park and he even designed and built a hiking trail in an undeveloped section of the park.

In 1984, the family moved to Colusa where Mike served 13 years as the sole Ranger at Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area. In the summer of 1986, Mike heroically dove into the Sacramento River to rescue a drowning 12-year-old boy, an act of bravery for which he received a Medal of Valor from the state. He retired in 1997 with a total of 23 years of devoted service to California’s parks.

His love for his work was matched only by his dedication to his family. Whether coaching the boys’ little league teams, enjoying the outdoors, or working in the garden Mike found joy in creating lasting memories with his wife, sons, and their families. He has always started gardens where he lived, but his Colusa home of 30 years became a labor of love, where he did all the landscaping and planting of trees including oaks from acorns on a full acre featuring a beautiful citrus orchard and large vegetable garden. The bounties of his garden, cultivated with care and dedication, were a source of pride for Mike, and he delighted in sharing them with his family and friends.

Mike also found great joy in ballroom dancing, forming lasting friendships through several years of classes at Yuba College, then joining a dance club, and savoring every moment on the dance floor with Martha, even teaching dance lessons several times.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Thomas.  He is survived by his beloved wife Martha, his sons Ashley, Adam (Marissa), Aaron (Nicole); his grandchildren, Christopher, Kate, Clara, and Adam; his brother Montie and sister-in-law Ruth Ann; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service to celebrate Mike’s remarkable life will be held on 1/24/2025 at 11 am at First Presbyterian Church in Colusa. You may also tune in online at the Colusa Youtube channel at: http://.www.youtube/@colusapresbyterian8856

Memorials may be given to: MountainParks.org

Mountain Parks Foundation supports Big Basin Redwoods State Park that had a devastating fire in 2020

Or: First Presbyterian Church, 326 Jay St., Colusa, CA 95932

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