“Mike” Miguel A. Ayarza was born in Tunisia Africa in 1944 to Juan Ayarza and Anparo Exposito-Ayarza, both from Spain. Mike was one of five children, two brothers and two sisters. He was raised and went to school in Africa, France, Italy and Spain, learning to speak five languages. While he was a private man, the “Gift of gab was strong in him!” His college learning afforded an apprentice level in machine shop, working a short time in Spain on ship assembly – particularly large propeller manufacturing.

While still a young man, Mike immigrated through Ellis Island in 1964 to the United States where he made his way to Idaho’s Magic Valley. There, he herded sheep with his father and uncle, Johnny, in the Gooding area while teaching himself English. He met and married Emmy Race from Bliss in 1967. The two of them moved to Burns, in 1969, having their first son, Juan, that same year as Mike gained employment and membership with the union at one of the largest sawmills in the Northwest in Hines, where he spent a career as a saw filer over 25 years. Their second son, Tony, was born the bicentennial year of 1976, that same year Mike also earned one of his prized achievements, his U.S citizenship!

His life in Idaho and Oregon afforded him a career, family, and great friends, two of which remained his best friends. The late Ray Beck of Burns and Gabe Goittindia of Battle Mountain, Nev., were his partners in several precarious adventures.  Not meant here as a any kind of confession, but multiple stories of some refute and possible rumor were often told. His hunting adventures would also serve as mentoring skills for his sons, including those he treated as a son, like his youngest brother-in-law. In one such teaching moment, a true and witnessed event, Mike demonstrated unforgettable marksmanship!

Mike had great pride in his Basque heritage and the legacy his father left as a senior officer for the Republicans in the Spanish civil war, serving as a captain of a ship. This background carried Mike into a strong sense of American patriotism that many born here fail to reflect.  His strong loyalty and dutiful obligation led him to strong interests in politics, of which he unabashedly expressed his conservative opinions. One quote from Mike alluded to him having great displeasure in the thought that his vote would possibly be cast for Democrats after he died. 

Retiring from the mill, Mike and Emmy began ranching, not just as a passion, but as a mode of purpose for Mike.  Desiring to be closer to family they moved to Malheur County in 1999 where they continued the ranching he started in Harney County. He loved his cows and learning the cattle business until the day he died. One of his biggest regrets was selling those cows. He spoke of frustration in getting older and not being able to raise beef regularly.  

Everywhere he lived and worked, he made many close friends of neighbors. He was quick to make acquaintances and cherished “shooting the bull” or sharing “a swig of whisky”!  

Though Mike was truly a simple man, he had deep philosophical tenets. One worth mentioning is that he was never afraid of death. His father having endured many death defying experiences during the war instilled in him: “Don’t you ever be afraid to die! When your time comes, you will go and it’s out of your control.”

He wanted no fanfare or long “to-do” at his passing, so the many stories, experiences, and thoughts of this man are kept brief in here and serve only to say, “Thanks and goodbye!”