Michael Duke Ethridge

Great pilot, crew member but more importantly an awesome person. 🙏🙏🙏

Mike was a very good pilot and a great guy. I am so sorry for our loss.

Michael will be missed in such an enormous way. Every time we flew together was an absolute pleasure! And, oh my goodness, the laughter!!!! It continued even through the Travis AFB farewell. May God bless and comfort your family. JB

Dear Etheridge Family,

Susie and I send our deepest sympathies, condolences and fervent prayers to each of you, for the sudden, tragic and very early loss of Mike Ethridge.

His smile and laughter will continue to live on with each of us.

God Bless you all!

Alan and Susan Tempin

Mike was a classmate of mine at USAF pilot training in Del Rio TX class 85-04.
He will be missed. Sincere condolences to his family.

Mike, known as”Duke” to his pickleball friends at the the Millcreek rec center was a joy to be around, whether playing with or against him or chatting while waiting for a court, he brightened the day. Prayers of comfort to the family, he will be missed.

I flew with Mike and always enjoyed his company, he was a great guy and I’m very sorry for your loss!

Joann and family, I am so, so sorry that Mike was taken so suddenly and far too soon. Growing up, I thought Mike was the coolest dad because he was a pilot. He was always so kind and always had a big smile on his face.

All my love, Corinne

Loved flying with you,prayers for your family

Dear Joann and family, so very sad to hear Mike passed away. He was my best friend at BYU from working in the dorms through AFROTC leadership and intramural sports. Our Air Force and airlines careers paralleled through retirement. Our chats on the phone were always about our families and what’s next along the horizon for us. I will miss my brother but know his spirit will always be near you until you are reunited one day. Lani and I send our sincerest heartfelt condolences.

I WILL MISS THE DUKE OF PICKLEBALL VERY MUCH! REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND.

I flew many sorties
/trips with Mike and he was a superb pilot who took to flying like a natural. Very gifted. My first trip with him was to Spain. He wasnt available for mission planning briefing so I did all that and gave him the show time the next day and back briefed him. He wasnt available due to critiqueing his initial check ride. We flew together as though he was a seasond pilot. Sharpest new guy I ever saw. Loved flying with him. RIP my friend

Mike and I entered Air Force pilot training together in Del Rio. That was 1984. What a year. Having had his eye on an F-16, Mike was a bit surprised with the KC-10 assignment. It didn't take long to see what a great deal that was. For the next six years we enjoyed some of the best flying the military had to offer, and a Moreno Valley suburban lifestyle. What a time it was, and always better when Mike was around. Lunch at Gordo's, zipping up to Vandenberg in a T-38 for a chocolate malt, touch-and-go's in the Ten - what memories. We had a long phone conversation earlier this year, and had a chance to reminisce on the days. Mike was one of those rare people who just make the world a better place.

So sad to hear the news of Mike’s passing. It was always a pleasure flying and working with Mike in the KC10. He was so entertaining and fun to be around. He never let me forget that he got assigned to go to Squadron Officer School with just a couple days notice because I wasn’t able to go. We reminisced about our KC10 days at the retirement ceremony at Travis recently and had some great laughs once again. I’ll always have great memories of Mike, his smile and laugh, and send sincere condolences to his family during this difficult time.

I briefly called him Mike, but there were so many Mikes playing pickleball that he went by “Duke.” Really, that name suits him better. It’s bigger, has more verve, and he’s a big guy, not just in stature, but in personality, kindness and friendliness. He’s just a person anybody liked to see on the court: gregarious and a good sport. He makes others feel better. I hadn’t seen him in a while, then he showed up minus several pounds. I don’t see how it’s fair that he’s that handsome, but I just lived with it. Duke, thanks for sharing a small part of your too-short life.

I was shocked to hear of Mike’s recent death.

Mike will be missed by many!

The last time I was able to visit with him was at his sister’s funeral where is was a pleasure to listen to many stories and to see him teaching some of his baseball pitching secrets to the younger generation.

I had the pleasure of spending my early years with Mike when we were kids and attended the Jackson Ward of the Jackson, Mississippi Stake where Mikes family lived in Pearl, Mississippi and the Shields family lived in Richland, (at the time was known as as Plain), Mississippi.

Back in the day, when Sunday School was on Sunday mornings and Sacrament meetings were on Sunday evenings.

In between the Sunday morning and evening meetings, it was not uncommon for us to spend the time at one another’s houses to have lunch and play.

Normally when at Mikes house, we would play and throw the football around, and when he came to our house, we often played baseball in the cow pasture using old tires as the bases.

It’s sad to hear about him passing as such a prime time in his life but I look forward to seeing him again in the next life where we will enjoy a great reunion!

My condolences and prayers go out to all of his family.

With Love,

Tadd Shields

Mike was Mike...and it was perfect. His contagious smile (with the head slightly tilted at just the right angle), his inveterate enthusiasm, and his genuine concern for those he loved have stayed with me for nearly 50 years. Indelible memories.

Deep and warm condolences to Mike's family and the many others who were touched by his charming influence.

Aqua Villa will not be the same without Michael. He was an integral part of our family. Personally, I enjoyed our chats and friendship. He will be missed by all of us. We wish your family comfort during this difficult time. Heaven has a beautiful angel within its mist..

Mike came to Seaside tennis when I ran it over the last few years and made an instant impression. His love of life was apparent and I am so saddened to hear this news. Upon my retirement, he presented me with a bottle of whiskey. I will toast him accordingly! So sorry for your loss.

I was so upset to hear of Mike's passing. The last time I spoke with Mike was at the KC-10 retirement at Travis. He had a way of making everyone feel like they were the most important person in the conversation. He was always so genuine, and caring that is showed in everything he did. From his days as a KC-10 pilot to his passion for his friends and most importantly his family. Rest in peace Mike. You will be missed.

The family all gathered at our house in east Texas for granddaddy’s funeral one Christmas many, many years ago. We played touch football in the yard as if that was the only objective of your long arduous trip from Mississippi. Michael Duke was small back then compared to Arlis and I, but he and Peter John took their knocks and tackles just like the big kids. It’s been 65 years since then. He sure grew up into a fine looking man with a good looking family. Love ya all!

He was a great guy. I loved working with him. I’ll miss talking with him.

Mike was a great guy with a great smile. We shared many games on basketball courts and I always wanted to be on his team, as he was a skilled player. Miss you Mike.

Sending so much love to your beautiful family. We love & adore you JoAnn & Mike ❤️

Always a shock to hear the passing of a friend, loved one or Gucci boy. When Mike and Jo first came to March, my wife wife watched their son Adam for a spell. Mike always had that uplifting spirit and warm smile. Many of us are older and still processing how such a young healthy man could leave so suddenly. His change of command 'flyover' was epic! Mike say hi to Greg (he was the FE). Also believe the lead for El Dorado Canyon. I remember when he got hired by Delta as that was pretty much the norm for Gucci boys. Some went to other airlines. Our condolences for your entire family. I've heard it said life's greatest test comes with the death of a loved one. True!! RIP Mike. Save us a seat.

My wife Sue and I are blessed to be a friends with Mike and Joann. We met as Mike and Joann showed up in Del Rio TX to begin USAF Pilot Training. Mike was a very talented pilot and I enjoyed flying with him in the T-37 phase of training. Everyone was shocked to see him get a KC-10 assignment, as he was the first any of us had ever seen anyone go straight to the KC-10 directly from pilot training. We met again when Mike joined me at Delta Air Lines and the Utah Air National Guard. We had many flights together and he was always such a pleasure to fly with and tour around in some of the locations the Air National Guard sent us. Mike and I spoke just a month before his totally unexpected passing. Well Mike, I welcomed you to USAF Pilot Training, Delta Air Lines, and the Utah Air National Guard. I guess it will be your turn to welcome me to heaven when it is my turn to move on. Until we meet again.

I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I could be there to express my condolences in person—your family has had such impact on my life. Besides Mike, I have fond memories of Adam in scouting and Kirsten in my primary class and Mike's example as he went through the trials of life was inspiring. I especially remember Mike as an Elders Quorum instructor. He was one of the most impactful instructors I've had. I still remember details from his lessons decades later. One story that especially stands out was about his training at a prisoner-of-war simulation. He told of the experience—the various mind games that the "enemy" guards would play and how irritating they became. Then, one day, they had to line up for a speech. The commandant told them that at the end of his speech, they would all be required to salute his country's flag. He proceeded to lecture them of all the "good" things his country had done. Mike became increasingly belligerent after all the things they had done to them. He thought there is no way I am going to salute this man's flag and, being one of the leaders because of his rank, he passed that instruction along to the other men: "Don't give this man any satisfaction by saluting his flag regardless of the consequences." When they were instructed to turn around and salute, Mike told how the U. S. flag was there and the emotion he felt as they collectively saluted it. I wish I could convey the emotion Mike relived as he related the story. 

Dear JoAnn and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. You have been in my thoughts ever since I heard of Mike’s passing. I cannot even imagine what you are feeling and my heart breaks for you. May you feel of my sympathy and love for you and may you find some peace and comfort as you navigate the time ahead.
All my love,
Vicki DiPietro

Just yesterday on July 7, I was walking through the Salt Lake airport and thought I saw Mike. Another big tall guy head up, smiling looking forward and around, looking to interact with somebody. Initially I took a step towards him and then remembered the painful news. I won’t be able to make it on the eighth, but love you guys and will always remember Mike’s positive attitude and the way he interacted with everybody with energy and love.
I was lucky enough to fly with him at the Guard, take elbows from him on the basketball court and have my most recent Delta simulator with him about eight months ago. 🫶🏻🤗

Mike was one of the men I looked up to as a role model growing up. So many great memories in scouting with him and Steven; he made the trips so much fun and I always loved his campfire stories. He was a real stand up guy and always had words of encouragement. I’m grateful to have received some of his light when I was trying to find my way. He was such a positive force, I’m so sorry for your loss 🖤

I grew up with Arlis. I’m very sorry for your loss and know that Mike will be very missed. The pain never leaves. You just learn to live with it. We do have the knowledge that we will be together again. That is a lot. May Heavenly Father give you comfort! Gail Hawkins Hamilton

Deepest sympathies in the loss of Mike. Praying for your family. I flew with Mike in the KC10 days and T38 Ace program.
Great memories. So sorry for your loss.
Praying.

Steve Tasson