While attending college at East Texas State University, northeast of Dallas, Mike met his wife. He graduated in August, 1968, and they married in 1969.

A few months later, Mike joined the U.S. Air Force and became Airman Lavender. They were stationed at F. E. Warren Air Force Base near Cheyenne, Wyoming. He worked as a payroll clerk for the base. Even in war the soldiers get paid, so eventually Mike was sent for a tour of duty in Vietnam as a clerical officer for the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing. Many times he put down his pens and ledgers to help defend his base against attack with his M-16 rifle and hand grenades. Mike was exposed to the defoliant Agent Orange during his tour in Vietnam, and his health suffered as a result. Later in life, he was an active member of the Tomball VFW.

After Vietnam, Mike worked as a reservist police officer in Dallas, lived in Garland as a reservist officer and retired from reservist police work in Magnolia. He owned and operated a TV/Repair Shop in Whitewright, Texas and moved it to Magnolia where the business gained much success.

Originally assigned KB5WQJ by the FCC, Mike was president of the Northwest Amateur Radio Society Club in 1994. Later he received his Extra Class License and changed his call to AE5MZ.

Mike worked with the Tomball Fire chief to organize the Tomball Fire Department HAM Radio Group that was loosely associated with ARES District 14, NW Unit to supply radio equipment to assist both fire department assets as well as local CERT during a local disaster. This group was very prominent during the Hurricane Ike activation in 2008. Mike was also instrumental in partnering with HCA Houston Healthcare Hospital Tomball, to establish an amateur radio station on their site.

"Mikey's" close friends describe him as very generous. He gave away computer and radio equipment as his health deteriorated which continued to limit his ability to do public service field work. That limitation did not stop him from working his usual Hempstead Stadium assignment for the 2022 Texas MS 150 for as long as anyone can remember, often partnering with his friends.

Mikey, AE5MZ, also counted participants in the Houston Marathon, The Woodlands Marathon and Triathlon, "Red, White and Bike", "Wheels for Justice", "Continental Classic", "Frost Bike 50", "Plane Great Ride", Harris County Health Department "CASPERs", "Bluebonnet Express", B-0Geo Magnolia Miles", "Pedaling the Prairie", "Bridgeland Triathlon", "Gran Fondo", "Tour de Pink", "Tour de Cure", "Buffalo Bayou Regatta", "Fairfield Triathlon", "Octoberfest", "Wings Over Houston", "Wreaths Across America", "CERT Rodeo" and many radio emergency activations.

Mike enjoyed working on electronic projects in his spare bedroom shop. He specialized in repairing amateur radio power supplies. He would also often take up donations for and loan money to friends in need.