Copper Basin News
Hayden, Az.
6/2/2010
Mike F. Bidegain 83, of Kearny passed away Sunday, May 23, 2010, after a valiant fight from complications suffered in a car accident in January.
Mike was born Fernando Miquel Bidegain in Wilcox, Az. on Oct. 26, 1926 to Basque immigrants, Bernardo Bidegain and Jesusa (Devignua) Bidegain. The midwife at his birth was Rex Allen Sr.'s mother. He and his six brothers, Pete, Johnny, Phillip, Joe, Raymond and Tex, and his sisters, Mary and Deena, were raised on the family ranch on the San Pedro River, near Cascabel. During his childhood, he was responsible for herding over three thousand head of sheep, on foot, from the Flagstaff area to Southern Arizona. Life in the sheep camps gave Mike work skills and values, and deep appreciation for livestock and the land.
Mike joined the Navy, at the age of 17. His brothers, Pete, Johnny and Phillip also served in the military, during WWII.
In 1947, he married Carlotta (Scottie) Claflin and they ranched on the San Pedro, until financial hardship forced Mike to seek employment, which lead them to move to the Casa Grande area, where he ultimately became a lineman for APS. In 1960, they moved to Ray, where Mike became the district serviceman for the Ray/Sonora area. Due to his fluent Spanish and appreciation of the Mexican people, he was lovingly referred to as "Mikey de la Luz," even to this day. When the town of Ray was consumed by the open pit mine, the family moved to a subdivision near Kearny developed by Mike, his first of many business ventures. Other businesses include Saguaro Concrete Company and Sweetwater Water and Ice. Using the skills he learned as a child, also made a living as a trapper for many years.
Mike and Scottie were married for 24 years, during which time they raised their three children, Michael, Philip, and Margaret.
Mike was an avid sportsman and excelled at all he competed in. He was an RCA roper, competitive golfer, played fast pitch softball and bowled. He served as President of Lions, American Legion, IBEW and was a charter member of the Elks. Mike had strong, conservative political views and ran as District Supervisor, in an area dominated by Democrats. Due to his reputation, conviction and trustworthiness, he made an impressive showing.
One of Mike's most cherished abilities was the god-given gift of water-witching (dousing). He was known throughout Southern Arizona for his water-witching skills, and was frequently asked to find water in the arid environment. He knew how vital this was for livestock and life in general and never accepted payment.
Mike's stories, his ability to capture an audience and paint a picture with words and humor, with a style all his own, made him a welcome addition everywhere he went.
He is survived by his brothers, Phillip (Yetta) and Raymond (Betty); sons, Michael (Sherry) and Philip (Corine); daughter Margaret (Dan Riley, loving supportive companion); Wanda Tucker, his loving companion and friend in Christ for 14 years; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, John (Rita), Joe (survived by Marge), Tex (survived by Ann), Pete (Clorene); and sisters, Mary (Dave) and Deena.
Mike's family and friends deeply miss him, but, are grateful he is resting in peace
Hayden, Az.
6/2/2010
Mike F. Bidegain 83, of Kearny passed away Sunday, May 23, 2010, after a valiant fight from complications suffered in a car accident in January.
Mike was born Fernando Miquel Bidegain in Wilcox, Az. on Oct. 26, 1926 to Basque immigrants, Bernardo Bidegain and Jesusa (Devignua) Bidegain. The midwife at his birth was Rex Allen Sr.'s mother. He and his six brothers, Pete, Johnny, Phillip, Joe, Raymond and Tex, and his sisters, Mary and Deena, were raised on the family ranch on the San Pedro River, near Cascabel. During his childhood, he was responsible for herding over three thousand head of sheep, on foot, from the Flagstaff area to Southern Arizona. Life in the sheep camps gave Mike work skills and values, and deep appreciation for livestock and the land.
Mike joined the Navy, at the age of 17. His brothers, Pete, Johnny and Phillip also served in the military, during WWII.
In 1947, he married Carlotta (Scottie) Claflin and they ranched on the San Pedro, until financial hardship forced Mike to seek employment, which lead them to move to the Casa Grande area, where he ultimately became a lineman for APS. In 1960, they moved to Ray, where Mike became the district serviceman for the Ray/Sonora area. Due to his fluent Spanish and appreciation of the Mexican people, he was lovingly referred to as "Mikey de la Luz," even to this day. When the town of Ray was consumed by the open pit mine, the family moved to a subdivision near Kearny developed by Mike, his first of many business ventures. Other businesses include Saguaro Concrete Company and Sweetwater Water and Ice. Using the skills he learned as a child, also made a living as a trapper for many years.
Mike and Scottie were married for 24 years, during which time they raised their three children, Michael, Philip, and Margaret.
Mike was an avid sportsman and excelled at all he competed in. He was an RCA roper, competitive golfer, played fast pitch softball and bowled. He served as President of Lions, American Legion, IBEW and was a charter member of the Elks. Mike had strong, conservative political views and ran as District Supervisor, in an area dominated by Democrats. Due to his reputation, conviction and trustworthiness, he made an impressive showing.
One of Mike's most cherished abilities was the god-given gift of water-witching (dousing). He was known throughout Southern Arizona for his water-witching skills, and was frequently asked to find water in the arid environment. He knew how vital this was for livestock and life in general and never accepted payment.
Mike's stories, his ability to capture an audience and paint a picture with words and humor, with a style all his own, made him a welcome addition everywhere he went.
He is survived by his brothers, Phillip (Yetta) and Raymond (Betty); sons, Michael (Sherry) and Philip (Corine); daughter Margaret (Dan Riley, loving supportive companion); Wanda Tucker, his loving companion and friend in Christ for 14 years; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, John (Rita), Joe (survived by Marge), Tex (survived by Ann), Pete (Clorene); and sisters, Mary (Dave) and Deena.
Mike's family and friends deeply miss him, but, are grateful he is resting in peace
Copper Basin News
Hayden, Az.
6/2/2010
Mike F. Bidegain 83, of Kearny passed away Sunday, May 23, 2010, after a valiant fight from complications suffered in a car accident in January.
Mike was born Fernando Miquel Bidegain in Wilcox, Az. on Oct. 26, 1926 to Basque immigrants, Bernardo Bidegain and Jesusa (Devignua) Bidegain. The midwife at his birth was Rex Allen Sr.'s mother. He and his six brothers, Pete, Johnny, Phillip, Joe, Raymond and Tex, and his sisters, Mary and Deena, were raised on the family ranch on the San Pedro River, near Cascabel. During his childhood, he was responsible for herding over three thousand head of sheep, on foot, from the Flagstaff area to Southern Arizona. Life in the sheep camps gave Mike work skills and values, and deep appreciation for livestock and the land.
Mike joined the Navy, at the age of 17. His brothers, Pete, Johnny and Phillip also served in the military, during WWII.
In 1947, he married Carlotta (Scottie) Claflin and they ranched on the San Pedro, until financial hardship forced Mike to seek employment, which lead them to move to the Casa Grande area, where he ultimately became a lineman for APS. In 1960, they moved to Ray, where Mike became the district serviceman for the Ray/Sonora area. Due to his fluent Spanish and appreciation of the Mexican people, he was lovingly referred to as "Mikey de la Luz," even to this day. When the town of Ray was consumed by the open pit mine, the family moved to a subdivision near Kearny developed by Mike, his first of many business ventures. Other businesses include Saguaro Concrete Company and Sweetwater Water and Ice. Using the skills he learned as a child, also made a living as a trapper for many years.
Mike and Scottie were married for 24 years, during which time they raised their three children, Michael, Philip, and Margaret.
Mike was an avid sportsman and excelled at all he competed in. He was an RCA roper, competitive golfer, played fast pitch softball and bowled. He served as President of Lions, American Legion, IBEW and was a charter member of the Elks. Mike had strong, conservative political views and ran as District Supervisor, in an area dominated by Democrats. Due to his reputation, conviction and trustworthiness, he made an impressive showing.
One of Mike's most cherished abilities was the god-given gift of water-witching (dousing). He was known throughout Southern Arizona for his water-witching skills, and was frequently asked to find water in the arid environment. He knew how vital this was for livestock and life in general and never accepted payment.
Mike's stories, his ability to capture an audience and paint a picture with words and humor, with a style all his own, made him a welcome addition everywhere he went.
He is survived by his brothers, Phillip (Yetta) and Raymond (Betty); sons, Michael (Sherry) and Philip (Corine); daughter Margaret (Dan Riley, loving supportive companion); Wanda Tucker, his loving companion and friend in Christ for 14 years; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, John (Rita), Joe (survived by Marge), Tex (survived by Ann), Pete (Clorene); and sisters, Mary (Dave) and Deena.
Mike's family and friends deeply miss him, but, are grateful he is resting in peace
Hayden, Az.
6/2/2010
Mike F. Bidegain 83, of Kearny passed away Sunday, May 23, 2010, after a valiant fight from complications suffered in a car accident in January.
Mike was born Fernando Miquel Bidegain in Wilcox, Az. on Oct. 26, 1926 to Basque immigrants, Bernardo Bidegain and Jesusa (Devignua) Bidegain. The midwife at his birth was Rex Allen Sr.'s mother. He and his six brothers, Pete, Johnny, Phillip, Joe, Raymond and Tex, and his sisters, Mary and Deena, were raised on the family ranch on the San Pedro River, near Cascabel. During his childhood, he was responsible for herding over three thousand head of sheep, on foot, from the Flagstaff area to Southern Arizona. Life in the sheep camps gave Mike work skills and values, and deep appreciation for livestock and the land.
Mike joined the Navy, at the age of 17. His brothers, Pete, Johnny and Phillip also served in the military, during WWII.
In 1947, he married Carlotta (Scottie) Claflin and they ranched on the San Pedro, until financial hardship forced Mike to seek employment, which lead them to move to the Casa Grande area, where he ultimately became a lineman for APS. In 1960, they moved to Ray, where Mike became the district serviceman for the Ray/Sonora area. Due to his fluent Spanish and appreciation of the Mexican people, he was lovingly referred to as "Mikey de la Luz," even to this day. When the town of Ray was consumed by the open pit mine, the family moved to a subdivision near Kearny developed by Mike, his first of many business ventures. Other businesses include Saguaro Concrete Company and Sweetwater Water and Ice. Using the skills he learned as a child, also made a living as a trapper for many years.
Mike and Scottie were married for 24 years, during which time they raised their three children, Michael, Philip, and Margaret.
Mike was an avid sportsman and excelled at all he competed in. He was an RCA roper, competitive golfer, played fast pitch softball and bowled. He served as President of Lions, American Legion, IBEW and was a charter member of the Elks. Mike had strong, conservative political views and ran as District Supervisor, in an area dominated by Democrats. Due to his reputation, conviction and trustworthiness, he made an impressive showing.
One of Mike's most cherished abilities was the god-given gift of water-witching (dousing). He was known throughout Southern Arizona for his water-witching skills, and was frequently asked to find water in the arid environment. He knew how vital this was for livestock and life in general and never accepted payment.
Mike's stories, his ability to capture an audience and paint a picture with words and humor, with a style all his own, made him a welcome addition everywhere he went.
He is survived by his brothers, Phillip (Yetta) and Raymond (Betty); sons, Michael (Sherry) and Philip (Corine); daughter Margaret (Dan Riley, loving supportive companion); Wanda Tucker, his loving companion and friend in Christ for 14 years; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, John (Rita), Joe (survived by Marge), Tex (survived by Ann), Pete (Clorene); and sisters, Mary (Dave) and Deena.
Mike's family and friends deeply miss him, but, are grateful he is resting in peace
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