Michael W Faircloth Sr.

Michael Wayne Faircloth, Sr. was born May 23, 1950 in San Antonio, Texas and died March 4, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. As a young boy, Michael grew up in Galveston, Texas until his family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961. In 1968 Michael graduated from Valley High School in Las Vegas and went on to attend the University of Nevada-Reno, and graduated from with a master’s degree in Music and History. While attending college, Michael married Janet Emmons and in 1970 their son, Michael Wayne Faircloth II was born.

Michael worked as a middle school choir teacher and also played in local bands, with the Reno Symphony and sang with the Reno Opera Guild. He went on to work for the telephone company and later for the Unemployment office. He became active in the International Association Personnel in Employment Security and served as chapter president. After many years in Reno he moved to the Bay Area where he worked for Gibbons and Company, then to Bay Area Rapid Transit.

He was a member of E Clampus Vitus (ECV), a fraternal organization dedicated to the study and preservation of the heritage of the American West. Michael served as Humbug (president) of the Chief Truckee Chapter and during his term erected a bronze plaque dedicated to Tamsen and Elizabeth Donner on Donner Summit. Also during this time he took up beekeeping and sold honey at local farmers markets.

In 1997 a dinner date led Michael to Nancy and he moved to Idaho in 1999; and he also gained stepdaughter Amber. Michael helped establish the Snake River Chapter ECV and served as their historian. He also was active in the State Historical Society and served as a judge and mentor for the National History Day Idaho contest. He began singing with the University Singers and Immanuel Lutheran Church. Michael loved singing with the Immanuel Choir and soon he and Nancy became regular members. The choir members and church family were very important to Michael and they have been so supportive to him and Nancy through all the rough medical patches he has endured for several years.

Michael is survived by his mother, Helen Beller Faircloth, sister, Vickie (Larry) Bennett, brother Stacy Faircloth, wife, Nancy Guerin Upchurch, son, Michael Faircloth II (Irma) and stepdaughter Amber Upchurch Craft (Andrew) and grandchildren Kevin Payne, Stephanie (Eddie) Martin, Christa Faircloth, Lillian Craft, Charlotte Craft, and great grandchildren Alex Payne and baby Martin (due in September), along with numerous nieces and nephews.

On Saturday, March 10, a viewing will be held at 11am followed by graveside services at 12 noon at Cloverdale Funeral Home and Cemetery. Immediately following at 1:30pm a memorial service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church 707 W, Fort Street, Boise, Idaho with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Michael’s name.