Cover photo for Michael Joseph Earnest's Obituary
Michael Joseph Earnest Profile Photo
In Memory Of
Michael Joseph Earnest
1930 2024

Michael Joseph Earnest

August 19, 1930 — February 26, 2024

Mr. Michael J. Earnest Jr., age 93, passed away on February 26th, 2024 at home in Orlando, Florida.

He was born on August 19th, 1930, in Akron, Ohio, and moved to Wadsworth, Ohio at the age of three. He was a Wadsworth High School graduate in 1948. He was a long-time business owner of Clarks Corners Tire Service and Michael Motors in Wadsworth, Ohio, and continued to go to work, six days a week, until his 93rd birthday. He served his country during the Korean War Conflict, where he served as a member of the Military Police on Koje-Do Island in South Korea.

Anyone who knew Dad knew that he loved nothing more than telling stories of his youth. Outrunning the local law enforcement – in multiple counties, the sheriff waiting for him at his house -- because he knew he couldn't catch him, driving around a roundabout at 100 miles per hour in reverse, hitting a train, or racing for money and making lifelong friends along the way. Everyone knew that Dad lived a very full life of adventure in his younger days. The stories that Dad told made him laugh and allowed him to relive a time in his life that he so greatly enjoyed. His love of antique cars and seeing the ocean brought him a sense of joy. There was nothing better than getting a bucket of chicken (and don't forget the ketchup, because it went on absolutely everything, and the coleslaw) and going for a picnic – of course, you had to stop for ice cream on the way home, even if you were too full; there is no such thing as being too full for a hot fudge sundae. A day wouldn't be complete without a piece of pie. Who could forget the love of NASCAR on Sunday afternoons? Of course, the crashes were the best part. Dad will be greatly missed, but his legacy and memory will be felt for generations. Thank you to everyone who has supported Dad and provided a hand along the way. It has been an epic journey. The kindness shown will forever be a reminder of what Dad meant to so many.

There will be a service at The Cape Canaveral National Cemetery on April 3, 2024, at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to The First Responders Children's Foundation, scholarship program in dad's memory, would be proudly appreciated.


To share your memories of Michael or leave a special message of condolence for his family please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael Joseph Earnest, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Visits: 19

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree