Michael James Everett was born February 28, 1977 in Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, CA, the son of Willis (Bill) Everett and Linda Cox Everett. He went on to meet the Lord and be with his dad in Heaven on November 25, 2025 at his home north of Cabool, MO. He was 48 years and almost 9 months.
Michael was a “Navy Brat” for his first 13 years, as his dad went on deployments. He and his mom were strong and proud of their Navy sailor. His family lived in California, Tennessee, Florida, and Mississippi, before returning to Missouri in 1989. He was a cute kid with those dimples. The winter they were transferring from Tennessee to Florida he and his mom stayed with his grandma in Cabool. While in Mrs. Maggard’s kindergarten he came home with paint on his jeans. Mrs. Maggard said that when she asked why he put his hand in the paint he replied, “To see if it was wet!”
He went through 7-12th grades in Cabool and was a proud member of the Class of 1995. They recently gathered for their 30-year reunion where he and Stacy Stark recreated their yearbook picture for being “Class Clowns”. He was proud of his receiving that award! He enjoyed seeing his classmates and friends and replaying their high school memories. He lettered in Golf as a freshman, and played football and basketball. He had a Bulldog tattoo on his leg and wore a shirt that said “Once a Bulldog, Always a Bulldog”. He also enjoyed the plays and Mrs. Trotter’s Drama class in 93-94.
Michael loved music, movies, was a lifetime Chiefs fan. He swore he was a fan long before they were a winning team! He played guitar and his claim to fame was playing at the KY3 Talent Show at the Ozark Empire Fair in July, 1996. He played with Darren Taff as “The Chachies”. They didn’t win past the first round, but they were interviewed and had a picture and article in the Springfield News-Leader. He was proud that he taught his nephew Austin Grupe how to play guitar. His love for music took him to many live concerts. His aunt, Jo Maugh, introduced him to Willie Nelson and he attended many Willie concerts! Recently he has followed You Tube videos of unknown artists and would be happy to follow them. He was great at picking out the talented ones. If he liked a song, he would learn to play it by ear.
His sense of humor was a strong trait. As he grew up he visited with Uncle Stanley Cox back in Missouri. He learned jokes and tricks and made great memories.
Michael knew the Lord! He was baptized at San Pablo Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida in November 1983. He became a member of Cabool United Methodist Church in 2009, and joined the First Christian Church in Sedalia, MO in 2023. He has attended the Cabool Church of the Brethren this last year. “I’ll Fly Away” was his favorite hymn.
He had many jobs and opportunities. In 1997, he was a Cabana Boy at the Arizona Biltmore Resort where he met many celebrities. His passion was to cook! He attended Orlando Culinary Academy in 2004-2005. His adventure began with a hurricane going through Orlando the first week he was there. He made many friends and had many fun stories of his Le Cordon Bleu culinary education. He worked at the Opryland Resort in Nashville, TN and worked under Chef Duccio. Again, there were great memories in Nashville. His longest stint of 10 years was with Le Maire’s Cajun Catfish restaurant in Sedalia, MO.
Michael married Amy Martin in 2010. They had no children, but many special cats who were like children. In 2024, it was time for him to move back to Cabool. He made a bond with his “service dog” CoCo. She gave him much comfort, along with Gracie, and a cat JuJu.
In March 2025, Michael helped open The Feed Lot Burgers restaurant in Cabool. He enjoyed being the “old guy” with his fellow workers.
Michael leaves to mourn him: his “momma” Linda Everett, (special friends who are like family) the Maggard family, and the Skyles family, Amy Martin and her family. His biological family: Mary Jane Carson, Allen Carson, Christy Hartley (Wes), Sue Trehal (Martin), Jim Smallwood, and special cousins Karen Wade, Kimberly Willis (Greg), Mike Wade (Kim), and many cousins who have become distant over the years.
Preceded in passing were: his father, Bill Everett, his grandparents, Dorothy Everett, Willis Everett Sr, Evelyn and Orlie Cox, aunts, Jo Maugh and Diana Smallwood.
Please remember Michael as the funny, friendly, sweet guy that he was. He wanted to help anyone and wanted to make them happy. He struggled through his life with alcoholism and depression. He is at peace now and we are thankful for that.
Arrangements are under the direction of The Elliot Gentry Carder Funeral Home
