Robert Michael Karayan, known as Mike, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the comfort of his home with his family on July 17 th at the age of 82. He battled bladder cancer for a decade caused from exposure to agent orange from his duty in Vietnam from 1966-1968.
He was a husband, father, father in-law, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, brother in-law, friend, boss, buddy, to many he was known as a legend in the fishing and hunting community. Mike and his wife Anne Marie celebrated their 60 th wedding anniversary this June, whom he leaves behind. He also leaves behind 3 children- son Michael Karayan (Spouse Karen- Heath- Karayan), son John Karayan (Spouse Jenny Marquez Karayan), daughter Michelle MacLellan (spouse Jamey MacLellan). 12 Grandchildren- Megan, Zach, Jordan, Trevor, Blake, Ryan, Hope, Izabel, Spencer, Mackenzie, Brooklyn, Parker, and 4 Great -Grandchildren-Macey, Bradley, Boston and Ava.
Born February 21 st , 1944, Robert Michael Karayan in Los Angeles Ca. to Robert (Bob) Harry Karayan and Wilma Valentine Karayan. Just after the war they moved into a Quonset hut for his first few years which they shared with another family on a property that later became the Los Angeles Zoo. There young Michael kept many pets which included pigeons, lizards and whatever else he could catch inside the house. His love of cats lasted his entire life.
Mike attended Cal Poly Pomona for a short while, but the Ocean seemed to call so he dropped out and moved to Ventura and attended VC for a short while. He was an avid surfer in the 60’s surfing up and down the California coast and then set his sight on sailing to the Cook Islands, he was a true adventurer. After returning he married the love of his life, Anne Marie Letvinchuck, whom he met at Ventura College and married in 1965. He completed his tour of Vietnam in 1968 which he survived a plane crash on his way back to states which killed several on board. After his return home, he eventually was hired by SCE as a meter reader and worked his way up the ladder receiving his AA from Ventura College which he attended at night after work. He retired from SCE in 1996 and spent several years perusing his passion of bird hunting and saltwater fishing. Several years later returned to work as a contractor for Tidwell and Hotline and retired again in 2009. Throughout these years he and Anne loved to travel to tropical places in Mexico especially Zihuatanejo, Hawaii, Fiji and the Cook Islands.
His love of the sea never faded, his fishing trips to the Sea of Cortez, Alaska and the Ventura coast are legendary. This passion for fishing was passed on to children, grandchildren, great grandchildren as well as their friends. He truly had an incredible life and leaving a legacy for all of us. A celebration of his life will take place in early October. Please Contact family for details. In lieu of flowers please donate to Cancer research or hospice.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.