Michael Hugh Bessire, of Ada, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family during the early morning hours of August 29, 2026. He was 74 years old.

Services will be held Friday, September 4, 2026, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 11 a.m. Burial will follow immediately at the family cemetery in Latta. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Criswell Funeral Home.

The eldest of four children, Mike was born to the late Paul Eugene Bessire and Joyce Joan Fitch on June 22, 1952 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Mike grew up in Anita, Iowa. In the summer of 1960, he stole his first kiss from the love of his life, Stephanie Yvette Brownsberger. However, it took another nine years and a date to Romeo & Juliet to convince Stephanie he was her “forever” too. The couple was the epitome of high school sweethearts – Mike was the captain of the football team and Stephanie was cheerleading captain as well. They were also voted homecoming queen and king their senior year. The two were married the day after Christmas the following year – December 26, 1970. After more than 55 years of marriage, they remained inseparable.

Shortly after marriage, the couple decided to grow their family; sadly, they lost their first two infants in 1971 and 1972. In 1975, their miracle baby, and first of four children, Callie, was born. From that moment on, Mike’s family was his singular pride and joy.

In the 1990s, Mike’s career with Orscheln’s Farm and Home Store led the family to Oklahoma. Putting down permanent roots, three out of four of his children graduated from Ada High School – Nicholas, Bethany, and Paula. After a long and dedicated career, Mike retired from Orscheln’s as a District Manager in 2019.

A self-taught and skilled carpenter and handyman, nothing made Mike happier than weekend projects with his son, improving his home or completing the numerous projects his daughters and grown grandchildren needed finished around their homes. If you needed it done, Dad/Grandpa was there.

Becoming a grandpa meant the world to Mike. His grandchildren and greatgrandchildren were the apple of his eye and what he enjoyed most during his retirement years.

Mike is survived by his wife, Stephanie, of the home; son, Nicholas Bessire, Ada; three daughters, Callie Monroe (Darrell), Ada; Bethany Walling (Mark), Ada; Paula Vandeveer (Chris), Daniel Island, SC; a brother, Todd Bessire; two sisters, Sheri Heath and Stacey Sanders; five grandchildren, Tristan Monroe (Taylor), Brittney Monroe (Jeff), Flossie Walling, and William and Naomi Vandeveer; and three greatgrandchildren, Ryker Monroe, Tayton Monroe, and Raiden Johnson.

He is preceded in death by his children Jeffrey Michael and Jogene Christine Bessire, and his parents Gene Bessire and Joyce and Rolland DeBower.