Obituary

Michael William Solomon, Jr. (Sul Luk Kanem II)

Michael, 42 years of age, was born to Michael W. Solomon Sr. (Sul Luk Kanem) and Vera E. Julius (Whe-Whe-O’litsa) on October 8, 1976 in Bellingham, Washington. Michael was a fisherman, growing up on the decks of his dad’s purse seiner, the Miss Melanie. He enjoyed many years on that boat, being a high-liner. He fished not only the Salish Sea but also Alaska and San Francisco. When the fishing industry declined Mike turned in his rain gear for a Silver Reef shirt, one of a handful of people that had worked there consistently since Day One. Mike, Mike-Mike, or Muck as many of his friends called him would always have a wide smile and wave or a high five for everyone, and many will still look for him on that casino floor. He joked that he was serving 10 years to life at the Silver Reef Casino. He was extremely dependable, loyal, and reliable not only in life but in his job, he rarely called in and was almost never late, preferring a little quiet time before each shift. Mike was the ultimate 49ers fan, loved his Mariners, and when the Sonics moved away his loyalty stayed when they became OKC. Michael was a Tarantino fan, Star Wars and sci-fi, horror, and dark comedies, and don’t tell anyone, but he loved a sappy love story. He was always telling people of the movies and TV shows he found and would tell people “it’s good! Check it out.” He loved music, especially Aaliyah, Audioslave, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Prince, and Justin Timberlake. He loved his nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and nephews and would love babysitting, all the little ones gravitated toward their uncle Mike as he would love to pack them around until they slept in his arms. He loved his dogs, and would pack them like a baby also, coddling them to no end. They will miss him as much as his friends and family do. Mike was a good man, always willing to give his last dollar, his last smoke, or a ride to his friends and family. He would do what he could, when he could. Anyone who knew him knew that he was working on his monster novel, growing from a short story to over five hundred pages, he was always talking about how he made it scarier. He loved as much as he was loved by everyone. He had a wry sense of humor and was always a jokester. He was always there in good times or in hard times unless he had to work, and would always say that he missed all the birthday parties because he worked on Saturdays. He loved camping, preferring to get things set up before the Solomon family would join him on Portage Island for the annual Memorial Day camping trip. He was a stargazer, and loved taking a cruise around the horn or to the island at any time of the day or night. He was a dreamer and was thoughtful to no end, often giving the sweatshirt or coat off his back to those that looked cold. If someone said they liked something of his, he might have just given it to them. He adored little children, animals and was Uncle Mike to so many.

Although his passing is difficult and unexpected, Mike, in his generous and giving nature, donated his organs and has literally saved the lives of six people through his final gift.

Michael was the baby of the family, he is survived by: father, Michael (Skipe) Sul Luk Kanem, siblings Julie Solomon, Janelle Langland, Jacqueline Solomon, Robert Cantera, William Finkbonner, and Melanie Solomon and Bridgette and Brandy Solomon. He was uncle to: Lance Jones Jr., Brittany Borsey, Matthew Jones, Talesha Finkbonner, Moriah Solomon, Marissa Noland, Cayce Jones, William (Jacob) Finkbonner, Alyssa Solomon, Wakeen Finkbonner, and Adam Noland. He was great uncle to: Shalaya Solomon-Martin, Alexzander Solomon Martin, Robyn Jones, Desmond Jones, Kaydence Jones, Neveah Jones, Christian Revey, Isaiah Jones, Daniel Martin, Riley Martin, Jordyn Washington, Xavier Alvarado, and Christopher Revey. He was preceded in death by his Grandparents, Michael B. Solomon, Dorthea (Ditto) Purser, Haynes Julius, Vela Jefferson, his mother, Vera (Whe-Whe-O’litsa), uncles Haynes (Rod) Julius, Creig Julius, Michael Julius, John Julius, infant Gary Julius, John (Jack) Solomon, aunts Doralee Solomon, Florence (Jena) Ostrand, Victoria Julius, Vela Kamkoff, infant Valerie Julius, and great nephew, Jaymie Washington. His final resting place will be the Lummi Cemetery very near to his beloved mother.

A prayer service will be held Monday, December 10, at 6:00pm. Funeral services will be Tuesday, December 11, at 10:30am. Both services will be held at the Wexliem Community Building.