Obituary of Michael Baker Barbur

Michael Baker Barbur, a resident of Portland, Oregon died on August 25, 2010. He was 28 years old.Michael was born on March 19, 1982 in Portland, Oregon. He is the son of Peter Barbur and Christine Buckingham. Michael lived in Clackamas, Oregon, from 1982 to 1985; Santa Cruz, California from 1985 to 1991; and Portland, Oregon from 1991 to 2010. Michael attended Natural Bridges Elementary in Santa Cruz, CA and Alameda Elementary School and Beaumont Junior High in Portland. He graduated from Thomas Edison High School in 2000 and was attending Portland Community College studying Computer Networking at the time of his death. Michael worked at Laurelhurst Veterinary Hospital in Portland, Blount International in Milwaukie, and for A Doggone Good Place in Hillsboro. Michael was smart, handsome and fit. He was caring, sensitive, empathic, artistic and musically gifted. He was good with animals and had a wonderful sense of humor. He could make us laugh just by his gestures and facial expressions. When he told stories, he used words that drew pictures in our minds. He taught himself the guitar and composed his own songs. He was a creative cook and an excellent 'Dad' to his cat, Oz. He taught himself various computer programs and created wonderful digital artwork. He even taught himself to speak some Japanese. Michael cultivated his interest in science and was interested in astronomy and the evolution of the universe. Michael is survived by his parents Peter Barbur and Christine Buckingham; sister Sarah Gardner and brother-in-law Alex Gardner; uncles Richard Barbur, John Barbur, Patrick Colahan, John Bauer; aunts Carlye Baker, Mary Lee Baker, Carmen Barbur; cousins Brit, Scott, Annie and Estela Barbur; Andy, Eric and Patrick Bauer; and Caila and Robert Colahan; stepparents Ralph Buckingham and Virginia Barbur; stepsisters Amy Buckingham Bryan and Staci Buckingham; stepbrothers Mark Buckingham and Jeremy, Danny, Eric, Michael and R.B. Imes; and eleven nieces and nephews. His only surviving grandparent is Robert Baker of Klamath Falls. He is predeceased by his grandparents Eva Baker, and Leland and Estelle Barbur. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the education and scholarship fund at Thomas Edison High School in Beaverton, Oregon. www.taedisonhs.org A Celebration of his Life will be held at the Overlook House in North Portland on Sunday, November 7, 2010 at 2PM. Overlook House 3839 N. Melrose Drive Portland, OR 97227 503-823-3188 North Bound from Interstate 5 Take Exit 303 (Swan Island) and proceed over viaduct to first light.