Ward Michael Falor - known to nearly everyone as Mike or D.H. Falor - lived a life powered by curiosity, creativity, engines, music, animals and caring compassion. From the time he was a little boy, Mike was drawn to cars and motorcycles - passions that would weave through every chapter of his life. 

Mike was a consummate storyteller, and one of his favorite stories he told dated back to when he was a young lad traveling with his beloved Grandma Schussman. Sitting in a cafe on the way to the City, Mike spotted Hells Angels founder Sonny Barger and wondered out loud if there was any chance that Mr. Barger would give him an autograph. Grandma Schussman, ever wise and encouraging, handed Mike a pen and paper and said, “You’ll never know unless you try.”  Mike tried - and succeeded. It was an early lesson he carried with him always.

When his Dad was busy with his drugstores and serving his community in many capacities, and Mike was left with his Mom and his sisters. Even though Mike complained that he was surrounded by females, he loved and was deeply loved by them. He and his sister June had a special relationship. When June became deaf, Mike stepped up to be her ears when they were playing as youngsters.  When Kitty and Tammy came along, he stepped up to being their big brother and family gatherings were never sedate but rang with laughter when Mike was in the room.

Mike was a natural musician. He began with the trumpet but quickly proved he could play nearly any instrument after hearing it play just once.  At Arcata High School, he played bass in a rock band named Sound Foundation. Mike self-described as a nerd but fully embraced the rock-and-roll life - driving a red Berkeley sports car and wearing a custom-made paisley shirt complete with a white color and cuffs (no one had to know that it was his Mom that custom made this shirt). Some other high school students enjoyed picking up and moving his Berkley because it was such a light car. Mike never knew where his car would be when he came out of his classes. One time it even ended up in the bushes. Around this time, his dad gifted him his first Model A, igniting what would become a lifelong love of collecting and years later landing him a starring role in the “Scrappy Go Lucky” episode of American Pickers.

While still attending Arcata High when the family went to visit Mike’s sister’s God Parents in the Sierras, Mike, his Dad and Mac McDermid took off on an adventure to got to the McDermid’s gold mine.  When a forest fire broke out, all three were conscripted to fight this wildland fire and it was days before they were released from this duty.  Serving community this way resonated with Mike and as an adult he went on to serve as a volunteer firefighter with the Blue Lake Fire Department, as well as serving on the County Arson Task Force.  The medical calls involving children were the hardest for Mike to process post event.

After high school, Mike traveled through Europe before returning to attend Humboldt State College.  He worked in the college cafeteria and at his father’s drug store delivering medications.  Though Mike liked to say he was kicked out of the house he grew up in for refusing to cut his hair, he omitted the part about how he had lined the street in front of his family’s home with his ever-growing car collection.  Grandma Schussman once again supported Mike - offering him a cabin on her property in Blue Lake - where the collecting continued enthusiastically and for many of these years Mike was accompanied in this endeavor by his best friend, Bob Giroux. 

In the 1980s, Mike met Patricia Villalobos, at her restaurant/thrift store (a easy way to Mike heart - collectables and good food). Mike knew right away he was going to marry Pat.  After Mike and Pat returned from their honeymoon road trip (in a car that Mike had literally bolted a windshield to the car just before they left), Mike took to leaving Pat a flower and a note each morning telling her how loved she was.

Mike and Pat’s first son, Milo, was adored from the start. Both Mike and Pat would jump out of bed when Milo cried and if they could not calm him, a call would be placed to Mike’s Mom, Jean Falor, asking what she though they should do. About ten years later, Milo’s ardent wish for a brother came true with the arrival of Milo’s brother Nicholas, who Milo called his “beautiful boy.” The boys shared Mike’s love of mechanics - becoming skilled at fixing (and even building) cars and motorcycles. Mike’s talent for music was passed on to Nick, and Mike loved going to hear Nick’s band play at the Logger Bar. Mike taught his sons to be kind, honest, and sensitive. Recently, Mike and Nick were even featured together in a nationally published motorcycle magazine which captured Mike final ride - his long gray beard, which was punctuated by a grin of sheer joy, flying in the wind.

Animals were drawn to Mike, and he to them. While working for Blue Lake Public Works, he once jumped into the City’s wastewater pond to save a goat. He also had dogs to whom he was loving and loyal - even when one ended up being a semi-feral dog, his sister had saved from euthanasia at the County Shelter, believing that, like all the other scared little dogs she had rescued, all this little dog needed would be to leave the shelter behind.  She was wrong and Mike named this dog Scaredy Dog and the name fit. Practically no one besides Mike could touch this dog who Mike provided a long, happy life along with Mike’s other beloved dogs, Lola and Slinky Dog. Before this crew there were beloved Max and Brandy and Peanuts (the dog that Mike’s Dad, the then Mayor of Arcata, Ward Falor, brought home because the dog catcher did not want to put this sweet dog down). When the City no longer needed their goats, just like Peanuts all those years before, they came home to Mike’s place and loved it there. Some of Mike “goaties” were humorously featured in the Picker’s episode.  A random goat whose owner stopped at the gas station even jump out of the vehicle and ran across the street to Mike place. That’s just how powerful the attraction of Mike’s love of animals was.

And then there were the cats. After Peaches, Sneechie and Singe-a-Roonie lived their long lives, the feral cats began arriving. Mike faithfully fed, cared for and had them altered throughout the years as more cats were dumped at this property. Of course some of these feral cats let Mike pet them - especially Window Kitty. One of Mike’s last wishes was that his cats be loving cared for until they age out of this world - a wish that his family is fulfilling.

On December 14, 2025, Mike lost his battle with Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s and COPD most likely from years on the Blue Lake Fire Department and Humboldt County Arson Task Force because Mike was never a smoker. In his last hours of his existence, he was joined by many members of the Falor Clan and the Stover Clan who showered Mike with love as he crossed over to his next adventure and held space for him after after his heart beat the last beat.

These are only some of the wonderful stories Mike leaves as a legacy.  There were too many loved ones and friends that were special to Mike to mention them all here and so for fear of omitting someone special to Mike, we are not attempting to list them here. 

Please join us at the Blue Lake Fire Hall on March 14, 2026 at 1 p.m. to celebrate Mike and to hear more stories of his life.  Preceding the memorial, starting in Blue Lake, there will be Mike’s final Harley ride. If Mike’s Harley cooperates, his son will be helping Mike’s bike to make this final ride in Mike’s honor.

Mike lived fully, loved fiercely and left behind stories that will be told - and retold - for generations.  He was truly a kindhearted legend and this world is a lesser place without him.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Mike Falor’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.