Michael Wayne Mantooth (Mike) went to be with The Lord on Saturday, April 3rd and although our hearts are broken, we continue to place our trust in the knowledge that there must be a greater plan than any we can conceive. Mike was born on March 29th, 1957 in Muleshoe, Texas. He was the oldest son of Ruth and Wayne Mantooth. The family moved around quite a bit, residing in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, but he spent the majority of his youth in El Paso, Texas. He graduated from Coronado High School in El Paso in 1975, where he established himself as a football star, with his father as his coach. He was awarded All-city and All-District in football. Much to his dad’s joy, he was offered scholarships to several universities in his Senior year. He ended up accepting a spot at UTEP to play Division 1 ball.
Throughout college, Mike worked part-time in the restaurant business until it inevitably called his name as a career choice. Like many successful restauranteurs, he cut his teeth at Steak and Ale (1980 – 1984) before trying his hand at several privately owned restaurants- La Prima, Crumbly Cogwheels and Basils Marketplace in Houston, Texas. He went on to open restaurants for Chili’s and El Paso BBQ before partnering with his good friend, Steve Cooper to start the successful group of Goodwood Barbecue Restaurants in Boise and Salt Lake City. Perfecting recipes and mentoring his staff were the elements of his vocation that brought him the greatest joy each day.
In 1979, while bartending at Steak and Ale, one of his favorite customers introduced him to his daughter Kay Lubianski and Mike fell instantly in love. They were married August 4, 1984 in Austin, Texas. The couple purchased their first home shortly thereafter in Houston and had their first child, a son, Blake Wayne in 1988, followed by a daughter, Kelli Lynne in 1992. Mike cherished being a husband and a father more than anything else in the world. The love he showered on his family inspired so many men he came into contact through the years to strive harder… to do more and be more. He was the epitome of a family man to the very end.
Mike is survived by his wife Kay, his two children Blake and Kelli, his brother Mark Mantooth and his sister Jo Linda Mantooth.
A memorial service will begin at 6:00 pm, with a celebration of life & reception to follow, Thursday, April 8, 2021, at High Desert Station Inc, 6780 Willis Rd., Star, with a reception to follow.
To view the service please visit https://vimeo.com/534624196
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to any form of cancer research – because if this man couldn’t beat the disease, with all the determination and pure grit he brought to the battle, it’s clear the rest of us need to “keep fighting the good fight” in his honor with all of our available resources until we eventually find a cure.
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Carol Blanchard says
April 6, 2021 at 5:33 pmOh Kay… not Mike. My heart is breaking for you. What a guy. I love how he and Jimmy stayed friends all those years. Much love to you and yours.
Greg Hartley says
April 6, 2021 at 7:36 pmA wonderful man with a heart as big as Texas. He touched many people in ways too numerous to count. I hope his memories bring comfort and joy as he rests with the Lord.
Natalie Padula says
April 7, 2021 at 11:58 amSending our condolences to you Kay and your family. I am so sad to hear this. Life is most certainly precious. Sending our love and strength your way. Mollie & Henry’s daughter Natalie.
Mollie O'Toole Nava says
April 7, 2021 at 3:16 pmOur sincere condolences to you Kay and the Mantooth family on the loss of your loved one, Mike!
I so fondly remember Mike , as the young man who worked with us at the Gold Rush back in the mid 70’s. Watching him prosper thru the years and seeing the great leader and father that he became.
Let peace be with you as he is now with the Lord and out of any pain.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
The Nava Family, Mollie, Curt, Christa, Tricia and Natalie., and Henry in spirit!
Megan A Dannenfeldt says
April 7, 2021 at 9:28 pmKay and all the Mantooth family,
Our deepest sympathies for your amazing Mike! We did not know about the Goodwood connection, but of course, because that is one of our favorite places here in Boise-so, now we will love it even more. Conor sends his special thoughts and prayers to his favorite math teacher. Sincerely, Megan, Joe, Logan, and Conor Dannenfeldt
Jennifer Barbeau says
April 8, 2021 at 7:13 amI am so sorry for your loss. I had the privilege of helping to open the first and second Goodwood restaurants. Mike’s big smile, infectious laugh, and kind spirit have stuck with me all these years. I learned so much during my time at Goodwood and Mike was a big part of that. Sending you my thoughts and prayers.
Lucy Dunn says
April 8, 2021 at 11:25 amDear Kay, Blake and Kelli,
I’m so sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. It’s a rotten deal. I have some very fond memories of the culdasac life we all shared. Swimming lessons, margaritas and rogue remote control cars! And of couse Mikes chicken tortilla soup. The best!
May memories suround you all and bring you comfort.
Thinking of you lots,
Lucy
Zach Serafine says
April 8, 2021 at 4:04 pmKay, Blake and Kelli. I am so sorry for your loss. Mike was one of the most influential people in my life for the last decade and a half. I am a better man to have had the opportunity to know him. Of all the things I would want to say, the one thing I will say is that he was a good man. Something you see rarer and rarer. Our prayers are with you all.
Stuart Roberts says
April 8, 2021 at 4:58 pmDear Kay and family, Mark and Jo Linda, I am very sorry for your loss. I met Mike back in our high school days in the ’70’s. He was a true and loyal friend and always a gentleman. Yes we could be wild and crazy sometimes but he would never do anything to hurt someone’s feelings. He was a great athlete and a real competitor. Kay, I have not had the pleasure of meeting you but I know he was madly in love with you and the kids. We reconnected a couple of years ago and always had nice phone visits. God Bless and trust int he Good Lord to help you get through these sad times. Mike is at peace now and no longer suffering.
Stuart Roberts
Stephanie Bodden says
April 8, 2021 at 5:06 pmKay, Kelli and Blake: My heart is so broken for you…please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers each day and we are all here to shower you with love and support. I pray that the Lord heals your hearts quickly. Much love to you, Stephanie Bodden
Sarah Mallane says
April 8, 2021 at 5:58 pmWe are so sorry for your loss and sending much love to your family. We are attending the service online and even over technology, Mike’s spirit shines bright. What a special soul. We will be thinking of you and when you are ready, would love to send a meal or anything you need. Hugs, Lou and Sarah Mallane and Family.
Cheryl Finley says
April 8, 2021 at 7:46 pmWhat a lovely service for an incredible man. It was full of acknowledgements of his love for you, Kay, for your children, his friends, and family. How blessed you were to be married to such an incredible man for 37 years but it wasn’t long enough. Please know that you and your family and friends will be in my prayers daily. I’ll talk with you soon.
Ann Edmark Reed says
April 9, 2021 at 9:46 amKay, Kelli and Blake,
I am so sorry for your loss, I wish you the best for peace and comfort. Mike was such a wonderful person. I hope fond memories help ease the pain. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Ann Edmark
Patricia and Ann Hornbaker says
April 9, 2021 at 8:46 pmDear Kay, Blake, and Kelli, Your El Paso, Texas, friends Don and Ellen Brooks asked my daughter Ann and me to attend Mike’s celebration of life to represent them. Since we are still cautious because of Covid-19, we did so virtually. The service honored Mike well; he filled what time he had with zest for God, family, and others. I will remember his warm and friendly voice during the one phone call I had with him. May God give you comfort, peace, and hope in Jesus Christ, as only He can.
Albert Flores says
June 23, 2021 at 7:50 pmOld friend from El Paso. Sorry for your loss. I remember you all fondly. Still think of you.
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