Michael Lee Fund
From Past to Present
Michael Lee Fund was born in Topeka, Kansas in March of 1959. The Son of Donald and Nila Fund, both from Nemaha County Kansas. His father worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. for over 45 years after his return home from the Korean War and his mother went to work for Stormont Vail Hospital after his younger sister started school. He has three sisters, Brenda, Sheryl and Gayle. Many of his fondest memories took place when he was a child and enjoyed spending the weekends at the two story home of his Grandparents, Dale and Dorothy Fund and visiting with his other Grandmother Fannie Vernon who lived to be 103 yrs old in Goff, Kansas. The noon day whistle blowing everyday and a train that passed just a short distance away right on time, day after day. Whether it was playing on the tire swing or getting up before dawn to go hunting or fishing or waiting for the opportunity to drive the 1936 John Deere tractor around town, Michael enjoyed this small country town. It was the joy of making a short walk to the town store and for a nickel or dime buying a Grape Nehi pop that made the dog days of summer fly by. It was in the evening after a period of catching Lightning Bugs or playing Hide and Seek that he would listen intently to the many stories his Grandfather would tell before calling it a day.
Michael attended Avondale West Elementary School and after his family made a move to the north side of Topeka, attended Northern Hills Junior High. After graduating from Seaman High School in 1977, Michael joined the Marine Corps. It was here that he became a Crew chief on Ch53 helicopters. Enjoying both the mechanical aspects of the job and flying where ever the helicopter went. From the mountains, deserts and isles of California to the mountains of Korea and waters of Okinawa. At the end of his enlistment in 1981, he got his Airframe and Power plant License, this enabled him to continue his work in the Aviation Field. He worked several years with Air Logistics Helicopters in Texas and eventually started his fixed wing career. Hired by Delta Airlines in 1988 where he has enjoyed a long career as a Line Maintenance Technician, with a five year stint as a Duty Manager which included the time period of Sept. 11th 2001.
Michael continues his career in Line Maintenance in Atlanta, Georgia while his wife Janis continues her career at American Airlines and maintains their house in the Dallas Ft. Worth area. Married for over 25 years Michael and Janis have three daughters, Sara and Rikki both from Janis’s previous marriage and Rashelle who was born in 1985. Michael also has a daughter Kristy who was born in Colorado and resides in California and shares her life with husband Brandon Smith. They have one Grandchild, Jamie, the daughter of Rikki, which they both dote on and enjoy spending as much time as they possibly can with her. Although it’s tougher while she is in school. It has been Michael’s time in Atlanta that he started his writing. He acknowledges his Grandmother Dorothy for prompting him to do so. Needing to occupy his time while away from home he started writing ‘The Wandering Bird’, which is now available and will start the second book to the series in November of 2011.
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