MICHAEL ‘MICKEY’ EARL SUNDAY
Michael “Mickey” Earl Sunday went to his eternal home on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the age of 80. He was born in Mexia on Jan. 5, 1940, to Reuben and Maudie Sunday. He was the eldest of three sons. He served his country in the Texas National Guard as a supply sergeant. He married Essie Vernell Carpenter Sunday on May 19, 1967. They were married for 53 years and had one child, Debra Lynn Sunday Eastland and grand-dogs Kiaya, Abigail and Matilda. In my 49 years, I never heard Daddy call my mom by her given name. He always referred to her as “Bubbles,” and he called me “Little Girl.” My heart is broken, knowing I’ll never hear those words from him again in this life. Knowing I’ll live the remainder of my life without him is overwhelming.
As a family, we are comforted knowing Daddy’s soul and his body are at complete peace.
He was a devoted son, husband, father, brother to Reuben Gerry Sunday (widower of wife Judy Sunday) and Jackie Logan Sunday (wife Beulah Sunday), bonus Dad (to Steve Gressett and wife Terrie), father-in-law (though he considered my husband Mark as his own), brother-in-law, uncle to John Reuben Sunday (wife Debbie), Tiffany Ann Sunday, and many, many others, great-uncle, cousin, adopted grandfather, advocate for the special needs and mentally challenged, role model for countless others, and treasured friend.
Daddy was all these things and so much more. To try to list everything he was here would be a disservice as it’s simply impossible. Daddy never met a stranger and had friends from all walks of life.
He loved music and passed this love on to his daughter. He loved everything from Elvis Presley and The Platters to Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac. He had a special fondness for Bill Booth’s Rock and Roll Freight Train every Saturday night on KNES 99.1.
Daddy loved Colorado, especially Colorado Springs. We spent several vacations there when I was a child. He also loved the beach. We spent some twenty-odd years going to North Padre Island National Seashore. In fact, we were planning another trip in October 2020.
Daddy spent most of his entire adult life advocating fiercely for those with special needs and the mentally challenged at Texas MHMR/ Centex ARC, serving as Executive Director for 30 years. He worked tirelessly for them, forsaking all else to make sure their needs were met. He instilled in me a love for those less fortunate and to always do my best to serve others and put their needs before my own. He received much more joy from giving than receiving. Maya Angelou said it best. “Your legacy is every life you have ever touched.” By that modicum alone, Daddy’s legacy is immense.
He taught me gratitude, humility, the virtues of hard work, love and respect for our God and our fellow humans, toughness and, no matter what, to never give up, especially on myself.
Daddy never met a piece of farm equipment he didn’t love. He treasured the land that farm equipment worked, knowing God had entrusted that land to him. He always remained a country boy at heart, even after moving to Bryan to help care for his chronically ill daughter.
All who knew him know he is irreplaceable. Several people have said to me this week “they just don’t make ’em like that anymore. He was such a good, kind man.” I’m inclined to agree.
While we as a family learn to navigate this new life without him, we humbly ask for your love, prayers, grace, gentleness, understanding and forgiveness, as I’m sure we’ll have a few missteps along the way. We’ll live our lives as he would want us to: always believing that things will improve, no matter the circumstance.
Finally, we must thank all of you who’ve been a part of Daddy’s life, in whatever capacity, during his 80 years on this earth. You made his life happier and more enjoyable just by being a part of it.
God bless you, Daddy. I miss you so much. We’ll see you again when God calls each of us home. What a glorious day that will be. Until then, we’ll “keep it between the ditches” as you would say.
