Michael Fortune

Michael Douglas Fortune left from this world on July 18, 2015, at the age of 41 in Bridgeport, Texas. He was born on May 27, 1974, in Lubbock, Texas. Graveside services will be Tuesday, August 4 at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas at 1:30 pm. Jim Taylor will officiate. He spent his early childhood in Big Spring, Texas and then relocated with his family to Tyler, Texas in 1988. He graduated from John Tyler High School in 1992, where he was active in the ROTC. He then entered the Army immediately after graduation and served at Fort Benning, Georgia and Fort Polk, Louisiana. After being discharged from the Army, he worked all over the United States at various jobs. He served time in Bosnia as a laundry and bath specialist supporting the troops for Brown and Root, worked as an over-the-road trucker, did a stint as a deep-sea fisherman, and was an insurance adjuster in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. After being medically disabled, Michael enjoyed traveling and living life to the fullest. He never met a stranger and would give his shirt off his back to anyone who asked for help. Michael accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior, in his teens at First Church of the Nazarene in Big Spring, Texas. He is survived by his wife Jennifer (Bridgeport, Texas), and children Jimmy Fortune (Tyler, Texas), Austin, Ashleigh and Zoe (Rusk, Texas), Noah Blanchard (St. Martin, Louisiana), Analeisha Fortune (Dayton, Ohio), Brianna Fortune (Bridgeport, Texas). Parents Jim and Dixie Fortune (Tyler, Texas), siblings Michelle and Brian Bridges (Tyler, Texas), Brandi and Peyton Luther (Conroe, Texas), Billy and Samantha Fortune (Tyler, Texas), and Eric and Ashley Fortune (Whitehouse, Texas); his aunt, Dena and Fred John (Tyler, Texas); 13 nephews and nieces. Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harold and Lilah Coleman and Theodore Douglas and Mary Fortune (Big Spring, Texas), and stepson Brant Boatman (Bridgeport, Texas.)