Michael Gene CrateMichael Gene Crate, of West Lafayette, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, at the age of 56.
He was born on June 23, 1965, in Okinawa, Japan, to Doris Dougherty Haire and Milton J. Crate.
Michael worked various jobs throughout his life trying to find his niche. He was never afraid to try something new. He was trained by a Master Benihana Chef in teppanyaki cooking. He had worked as the head chef at a Hanayori Restaurant in Mishawaka and most recently he worked at Perry Foam Products in Lafayette where they made sanding and grinding back-up pads. When he wasn’t working, Michael was an avid golfer. He spent a lot of time on the links and was always helping his daughter with her swing. He was a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan …. he LOVED them! He could recount any stat about the Dallas Cowboys all the way back to the Roger Staubach days.
He was a horror movie fan and an avid reader, his favorite author was Stephen King and he enjoyed detective stories. When he couldn’t find something to watch on TV he would always reach for the “Hangover” moves. Michael loved to cook and entertain especially for the people he loved. He always wanted to look presentable, and he had a loving heart and never judged anyone. Michael was always kind to those around him especially his life partner, Rose. He loved to listen to music from the ’70s and ’80s and was constantly trying to update Mikaela’s music catalogue with, as he called it, “better music!” Michael loved animals and always made it a point to ask his daughter about her pets, as he loved his cats Porsche and Zeke. He simply wanted to be the best dad he knew how to be and he will be dearly loved and missed forever.
He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Mikaela Crate and her fiancé, Trevor Kelley, Warsaw; life partner, Rose Marie Lowery, Lafayette; father, Milton J. Crate, Rochester, N.Y.; stepbrother, Alex Louis, Louisiana; best friend, who was like a brother, Dave Smith, Mishawaka; two cousins: Jody Ayres and Dan Dougherty; and many aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his mother, and his brother, Matthew Crate.
Michael’s life will be celebrated at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Bruce Barlow.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.
