May 11, 1940 – February 3, 2025
Micheal John Kielgass, a.k.a “The Old Crow”, was born in Miami, Arizona on May 11, 1940 to John and Faye Kielgass. He passed peacefully on February 3, 2025 at the age of 84.Moving from Arizona in 1944, he spent his early childhood years in Skyway, WA. His family moved to Newhalem in 1956 where he attended and played football at Concrete High School, graduating in 1958. He met Barbara Anderson at school and they had three children – Bill, Jeanne and Jodie. They were married from 1957-1961. Mike’s father, “Jack”, was the Master Mechanic on the High Gorge Dam and Mike went to work for him as an oiler and mechanic assistant. They traveled and worked at numerous construction sites and dams. Under Jack’s tutelage, Mike learned the trade and became a skilled heavy equipment mechanic and operator in his own right.
He left his mark all over the infrastructure of theNorthwest – Paine Field, the I-90 tunnel, 405 from Renton to Bellevue, Baker Dam, dredging for local marinas and many other projects.Not content with staying in one place for too long, he also worked on the Alaska Pipeline and in the oil fields of Saudi Arabia as a Diesel Mechanic. “From Prudhoe Bay to Saudi Arabia” he would say.
After years where 100+ hour weeks weren’t uncommon, he retired early and opened up shop in his garage in Renton where he did everything from oil changes to engine replacements for friends, family and local businesses. This garage also served as a wonderful place for parties with family, neighbors and friends for decades. Truly any get-together atMike’s meant being dressed for the garage.
He loved garage sales and the treasures to be found.He took many road trips in his iconic van up and down the west coast, to Oklahoma, Arizona and into Mexico. He had many lifelong friendships in and around the Renton area and had the best neighbors anyone could ask for.He especially enjoyed his family and was always in attendance for graduations, weddings, ball games and anything else worth celebrating – you could always hear his booming voice and spot his cowboy hat in a crowd.
He loved animals, and enriched the lives of many dogs with the milk bones always stashed in his shirt pocket. Over the years, a few lucky cats found themselves to be dubbed “Kitty” and were paid handsomely for their affections with many treats and hours on the swing watching birds. Crows always held a special place in his mind, and much of his home decor.
He served in theNationalGuard and was a 65+ year member of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) #302. He was a member of theMason’s, Eagles, Renton’s 21 Club and the American Legion.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Faye Kielgass. Survived by: Children: Bill Kielgass (Kathy) of Lake Stevens, JeanneOden (Greg) of Enumclaw, Jodie Kendall (Pat) of Pasadena, CA Grandchildren: Kayla Oden, Olivia Oden-Jirava, Grant Oden, Cole Kendall, John Kielgass, Lauren Kielgass and Kristopher Kielgass and 5 great grandchildren. Sibling: Ike Kielgass
