Obituary for Chester John Mena
Chester John Mena, age 37, of Lynnwood, passed away suddenly as the result of a hit and run accident on I-405 in Kirkland on Tuesday, September 10, 2019.
Chester was born in Manila, Philippines, on December 4, 1981. He came to the United States at age six with his mother, Babbith Michaud and his father Donald Michaud. He was raised in Oak Harbor, but lived later in Lynnwood and was a graduate of Lynnwood High School in 2001. Chester was extremely intelligent and excelled in scholastics, being in accelerated classes all through his school years. Following his high school graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served honorably for six years, stationed in Florida. After his Honorable Discharge, Chester relocated to Japan, where he worked as a civil service material handler from 2005 to 2016. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Texas State University. Following this he served as a supply technician at Travis Air Force Base in California for a year, and then transferred to Nevada to work in mining technology for the Barrick Gold Corporation for a short time. He returned to Lynnwood and was a night auditor at Baymont Inn Suites in Kirkland at the time of his passing.
Chester was generous to a fault. He had a loving and giving heart and a sweet personality. He was gifted as a poet, winning several awards for his poetry. He loved motorcycling, and engaged in mai thai and kick boxing and basketball. He learned from his mother how to cook Filipino food, and excelled at it.
Chester is survived by his mother, Babbith “Beth” Michaud of Oak Harbor and his father Donald Michaud of Arlington; uncle Felix Mena and aunt Fely Mena; cousins: Krystel Voigt; Michelle Mena, Cherry Leslie Mena, Debbie Mena and Kyle Mena ; John Ray and Erica May and Nicole Ashley; also, numerous other relatives and a host of friends.
Reception and visitation will be held at Whidbey Memorial Chapel on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, 5-8 PM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine Catholic Church on Wednesday, September 25, 10:00 AM, Rev. Paul Pluth, celebrant. Cremation will follow, with inurnment taking place in the Philippines at a later date. Arrangements have been made with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service.
Luna
Surface so smooth unlike a typical moon
So rich like ice cream on a spoon
Taller in stature than most in motion
Revolving, rotating, human locomotion
Streaks lead to a mound of knowledge
All natural but without a sign of foliage
Attraction pulls in the tides of men
What would be of the world if it didn’t happen
By
Chester J. Mena
December 4, 1981 to September 10, 2019
Chester was born in Manila, Philippines, on December 4, 1981. He came to the United States at age six with his mother, Babbith Michaud and his father Donald Michaud. He was raised in Oak Harbor, but lived later in Lynnwood and was a graduate of Lynnwood High School in 2001. Chester was extremely intelligent and excelled in scholastics, being in accelerated classes all through his school years. Following his high school graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served honorably for six years, stationed in Florida. After his Honorable Discharge, Chester relocated to Japan, where he worked as a civil service material handler from 2005 to 2016. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Texas State University. Following this he served as a supply technician at Travis Air Force Base in California for a year, and then transferred to Nevada to work in mining technology for the Barrick Gold Corporation for a short time. He returned to Lynnwood and was a night auditor at Baymont Inn Suites in Kirkland at the time of his passing.
Chester was generous to a fault. He had a loving and giving heart and a sweet personality. He was gifted as a poet, winning several awards for his poetry. He loved motorcycling, and engaged in mai thai and kick boxing and basketball. He learned from his mother how to cook Filipino food, and excelled at it.
Chester is survived by his mother, Babbith “Beth” Michaud of Oak Harbor and his father Donald Michaud of Arlington; uncle Felix Mena and aunt Fely Mena; cousins: Krystel Voigt; Michelle Mena, Cherry Leslie Mena, Debbie Mena and Kyle Mena ; John Ray and Erica May and Nicole Ashley; also, numerous other relatives and a host of friends.
Reception and visitation will be held at Whidbey Memorial Chapel on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, 5-8 PM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine Catholic Church on Wednesday, September 25, 10:00 AM, Rev. Paul Pluth, celebrant. Cremation will follow, with inurnment taking place in the Philippines at a later date. Arrangements have been made with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service.
Luna
Surface so smooth unlike a typical moon
So rich like ice cream on a spoon
Taller in stature than most in motion
Revolving, rotating, human locomotion
Streaks lead to a mound of knowledge
All natural but without a sign of foliage
Attraction pulls in the tides of men
What would be of the world if it didn’t happen
By
Chester J. Mena
December 4, 1981 to September 10, 2019