Michael Larry Morey

Michael L. Morey, age 79, a 30-year resident of Colville, Wash., passed away on June 14, 2025 due to injuries from a motor vehicle accident.  Michael was born on February 12, 1946 in Wilbur, Wash., the son of Leslie James and Helen Gladys (Milliken) Morey.

Mike was raised on the family farm in Creston where he began the day with farm chores before joining his classmates at school. He enjoyed afterschool athletics and played several sports but favored basketball season the most. In 1964, he graduated from Creston High School and then enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. Mike was trained as an engineman and served on a 180-foot buoy tender “Conifer” out of Portsmouth, Va., and a 95-foot ship out of Hilo, Hawaii.  He was honorably discharged and returned to Creston, Wash., where he worked at the local sawmill and began raising his family. Mike also worked for a time as a police officer for the Town of Creston. His love to the land began in childhood and he returned to those roots often. Mike moved to Colville with his family and began working the log booms and river salvage as a tug boat captain for Columbia Navigation in 1980. In the early 1990s, Mike branched into construction but was drawn back to the water a year later. He retired in 2012 with over 30 years of navigation on the Columbia River.

Mike was heavily involved in his communities and took the time to know the community members, families, their history and serve on fraternal, veteran and rodeo associations. He was always drawn to the water and enjoyed slalom water skiing, fishing, and his time in the U.S. Coast Guard. Mike also hiked, hunted, and packed into hunting camps in the blue mountains and northeast Washington outdoors. He spent many hours playing his hand at cribbage as well as other card games with family and friends. Mike also devoted years of research into his family genealogy with stacks of documents and pictures to pass on the knowledge. He would “raz” anyone to get a smile and was known for his endless generosity.

Mike was a past president of the Colville Eagles Lodges and long-time member of the Arden Old Timers Rodeo association, Panorama Rodeo Association, Arden Hall, Northeast Washington Fair, American Legion and Creston Alumni Association.

Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Morey; his parents, Leslie and Helen; his sister, Patricia Morey; his step-daughter Sandy Morgan.

He is survived by his daughter, Nicole Conway (Ron) of Lincoln, Wash.; son, Kenn Morey of Spokane, Wash.; step-children, Barb Philpott of Colville, Wash., Tana Johnston of Loon Lake, Wash., Joe Philpott (Meka) of Kettle Falls, Wash., William Bray of Chattaroy, Wash., Jody Craig (Christopher) of Colville, Wash., numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren; sister, Lauralee Morey of Spokane Valley, Wash.; and a host of extended family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Eagle’s Club in Colville, Wash., for all of his friends and family there on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A graveside service will be held at the Creston Cemetery in Creston, Wash., with a luncheon to follow on Saturday, Sept. 13, starting at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be given to the Arden Old Timers Rodeo Association or the Creston Alumni Association.  Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at danekasfuneralchapel.com.  Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.