Michael Duane Bode
May 19, 1948 - June 26, 2024

Mike, known to his grandchildren as “Papa Mike,” left us on June 26, 2024 to go home, to his father in heaven. As his family and friends feel the enormous void he leaves behind with his passing, we are also filled with hearts of gratitude for the loving husband, father, grandfather, cousin, in-law, uncle and friend he was to so many.

Mike was born in Los Angeles in 1948 to Melvin and Barbara Bode. They eventually settled in Eureka when he was young. They were blessed with two more boys, Rob and Chris Bode. Mel was a draftsman in the building trades. Extraordinarily, all three Bode brothers went on to be building contractors in the Humboldt County area, some for over 50 years.

Mike attended Marshall Elementary School, Jacobs Junior High School and Eureka High School. ‘Bode’ was an outstanding athlete at EHS, where he excelled at playing football and track and field events. His creativity began to emerge during this time as well, when he discovered a love of painting, pottery and building. After high school he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was sent overseas to Vietnam. He served bravely, like so many of his comrades, and completed two and a half years and left a sergeant.

He returned home to his family where he went onto attend College of the Redwoods, where he received his A.A. and played defensive end on the 1969 undefeated CR Football team. During this time, he began to date Audrey Watson, who was the love of his life and partner in everything. They were married in 1971 and have been married for 52 years.

He went onto attend Humboldt State University, where he received a bachelor degree in industrial technology and started Bode Construction Company in 1974. One of his first construction projects was building his own houseboat with his dad on Trinity Lake. Mike built many buildings and used his drafting skills to build throughout Humboldt County, where he made many friends and connections that still are felt by his family, friends and community today. His creativity and strong work ethic enabled him to build a foundation that he graciously shared with everyone around him.

In 1972, he took on a new role as a dad when he welcomed his little girl Stephanie. He was always devoted, supportive and hardworking when it came to her and his entire family. He would spend countless hours teaching his kids and grandkids to carve a turkey or build something from nothing, a big lap to sit on or how to pick a garden. He was so many things to so many people. In 1974, he welcomed his son Ryan. Mike and Ryan enjoyed the outdoors snow-skiing, houseboating on Trinity Lake and a love of working with your hands. Mike taught Ryan to build. He passed on his creativity, eye for detail, exceptional work ethic and toughness that only those in the construction trades will understand. They ran Bode Construction Company together beginning in 2001, and Mike continued to stay active in the business up until his passing. He loved to work and enjoyed sharing his gifts for building.

In 2003, he began another new role as grandpa, and was aka “Papa Mike.” Papa Mike pulled out all the stops for his five grandsons and two granddaughters. Papa Mike and Nana lovingly put their valuable time, energy and resources into these kiddos who made them laugh and love the world in only ways that grandkids can. Papa Mike would spend countless hours watching his athleticism on display through his grandkids on the football field, baseball diamond, soccer field, basketball gym, rodeo grounds, gymnastics meets and any and all school functions. He loved supporting athletics and loved competition and the grit it took to do it.

To really know Mike you had to know his hobbies. He was passionate about so many things over the years. In the beginning, he loved to paint and do pottery. He loved to snow-ski in the winter and spent many hours on his houseboat in the summer. Always a bit of a prankster at the houseboat, his nieces and nephews always had to keep one eye on what they were doing and the other on where Uncle Mike was.

Mike had a great passion for aviation. His dad Melvin was a pilot in WWII flying the P-61 over the Pacific and Mike seemed to be drawn to the heavens as his dad was. He bought his first plane in 1989 and then later upgraded to a plane that was known to buzz the skies of his home near the air strip at Murray Field. Later he picked up fly fishing, riding his bike, gardening and wine making. He loved to have his family and friends together in all of these activities. He and Audrey created an oasis at their cabin in Willow Creek with a garden that was extraordinary. He loved their garden and during the harvest months you didn’t leave his presence without taking home delicious fruits and veggies for you and your family. He loved to bottle wine with anyone who wanted to show up and bottle, cork, label, etc. and it didn’t matter how old you were. Elbow grease was the main ingredient. Later the wine would be enjoyed and shared with his family, friends and community.

Mike, together with Audrey, made exceptional memories filled with a lifetime of love and laughter. They worked together running their construction and rental businesses, raised kids, loved on grandkids and traveled many parts of world together. Their travels whether they were near or far were always together where they would take in the sites and would appreciate the time they were given.

He is preceded in death by his father Melvin Bode, his mother Barbara Bode-Morse, his brother Rob Bode, father-in-law William Watson Jr., and mother-in-law Edith Watson. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Audrey Bode, daughter Stephanie Schneider (Travis), son Ryan Bode (Melissa), grandkids Hayden, Rogan, Macy, Riley, Parker, Alayna and Cade, his brother Chris Bode (Denise), sister-in-law Kay Bode, cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews and countless great friends.

Mike was a big personality and a generous spirit who enjoyed life and was grateful for all of its harvest. There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, July 27 at The Faith Center located at 1032 Bay Street, Eureka from 11 a.m.-12 p.m., followed by a gathering immediately after at Old Growth Cellars located at 1945 Hilfiker Ln, Eureka until 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice in his name.

We will miss you, rest in eternal peace Papa Mike.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Mike Bode’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.