07/21/2023
Michael Doran, age 71, of Ithaca, went into the arms of Jesus on July 20, 2023. Mike was born in Saginaw, Michigan, on June 3, 1952, to the late Harvey and Ida Doran. He graduated from Saginaw Arthur Hill in 1970 and went on to earn his teaching degree from Central Michigan University in 1974. In the fall of 1974, he began his teaching career at Ithaca. While there, Mike met and married the love of his life, Kathy. They were blessed with 43 years of marriage and two daughters, Bethany and Allison. His girls were the center of his world.
At Ithaca, Mike, dove head first into coaching, where he found his true passion and calling. He quickly became ‘Coach’ or ‘Coach D’. For the next 31 years, Mike coached football, wrestling, and softball as a Yellowjacket. He believed passionately that there were valuable lessons to be learned on the playing field; among them, resiliency, teamwork, hard work, integrity, and commitment. His students and athletes were an integral part of who he was. He loved to push them to be better, make them laugh with his endless banter and bad jokes, and lend his advice on all topics in life. Mike understood that relationships were at the heart of being an educator and coach. He was a master at both. After “retirement”, he continued his teaching and coaching career with Alma College. Mike spent several seasons coaching with the Scots, sharing his love for football and softball with many athletes. Beginning in 2009, Mike began teaching and coaching at Lansing Catholic Central. In the fall of 2019, he had the privilege of coaching the Lansing Catholic Cougars to a state championship in football, with his best friend and long-time coaching partner, Jim Ahern.
Off the playing field, Mike had several loves, but nothing greater than the love for his 8 grandchildren. It brought him tremendous joy to be able to coach them and teach them about the sports he loved. It wasn’t unusual to see ‘Pops’ outside with his grandbabies–practicing softball and football skills, wrestling moves and golf swings, pushing them on a swing, teaching them how to ride a bike, or getting after them for jumping off the stairs and into the pool! He loved to make them laugh and he loved to spoil them. He hated missing any of their activities and could often be spotted watching a practice and giving advice afterward. Even though he was a sports-guy at heart, he was extremely proud to see his granddaughters dance. Beyond his grandbabies, Mike also loved U of M football, the Detroit Lions, Red Wings, and Tigers, his long-standing yearly fishing trip to Canada, camping with his family, his blue 1969 GTO, and organizing a number of ‘tournaments’ with friends–including his beloved PFL (Paper Football League).
Mike is survived by his wife, Kathy Doran of Ithaca, MI; two daughters: Bethany and Joseph Vozar of Ithaca, MI; Allison and Ryan Lamey of Ithaca, MI; eight grandchildren: Nora Vozar, Michael Joseph (M.J.) Vozar, Judah Vozar, Caroline Lamey, Mitchell Vozar, C**t Lamey, Amelia Lamey, and Walker Lamey. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Chuck Carroll of Tawas City, MI; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Kevin and Renee Smith of Sumner, MI; brother-in-law Tom Gerhardt of East Tawas, MI; nieces and nephews: Dan and Jenn Doran, Pam Doran, Scott and Marlene Gerhardt, Brad Gerhardt, Matt Smith and Rita Ermatinger, Katie and Ian Scarborough; and several great-nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two special exchange students who he considered his own: Javier Garcia of Florida and ‘Note’ Townamchai Jin of Singapore and his Scottie, Max. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Ida Doran, father-in-law and mother-in-law LaVern and Kathleen Smith, brother and sister-in-law Harvey and Jan Doran, brother-in-law Michael Smith, and an unborn grandson, and his beloved Scottie, Dughall.
Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, with Pastor Phil Maxwell officiating. Burial will take place at New Haven Township Cemetery, New Haven Twp, MI. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 24, 2023, and Tuesday, July 25, 2023, from 2-8 P.M. Visitation will also be held on Wednesday from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the family for a future scholarship fund that will be established in honor of Mike. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.
