Obituary
Michael “Mike” John Telkamp, 69, passed away peacefully from this life on October 13, 2022 in Rockledge, Florida after a brief but serious illness. Mike was born on November 26, 1952 in Bethesda, Maryland at the US Navy Hospital. Like many of his other siblings, Mike’s childhood varied between many places, including Newport News, Virginia and Sanford, Florida due to his father’s military career. In his youth, his mother described him as “a square peg trying to fit into a round hole” frustrating his teachers beyond belief for his lack of participation in school work but always managing to ace his tests. His friends, family, and loved ones describe him as “Respectable, Intelligent, Caring” and “a man with many ideas and the ability to fulfill them.” He touched the lives of countless people, was loved by many, and will never be forgotten…
During his early years, Mike was an avid citizens band radio buff, as well as having an interest in cars, motorcycles, and woodworking. Later on, he chose his career in telephone and computer networking technology with Sprint, and eventually retired from AdventHealth, where he became the technology guru who could bridge the gap between legacy systems and the most modern switching technology- he was described as a “wizard” in his field. In his later years, Mike could be found tinkering in his garage with his toys, tending to his garden, enjoying the natural wildlife at his residence, and was known for taking a spontaneous road trip whenever his eyes started to sparkle—whether it be a weekend shrimping trip with his grandkids or an adventure with no destination with his love(s).
Mike is survived by his daughters, Stormy Cole (Josh), Shelley Telkamp, and Joanne Telkamp (Mike), grandchildren Logan Cole, Ashlynn Cole, Gregory Marquez, Arianna Marquez, Trey Telkamp, Tyler Bradford, Samuel Glover, great-grandchild Isabella Bradford, mother Joanne McCreery Telkamp, siblings and step-siblings Christine Buehler, Patrick Telkamp (Susan), Bill Telkamp, Bonnie Teymouri (Javad), Tim Telkamp (Kathleen), Helen Myers (Gene), Susan Thomas (Pat), William Fourney (Doris), Sylvia Shanahan (Edmund), and numerous nieces, nephews, and beloved friends. Mike was preceded in death by his father, LeRoy Theodore Telkamp (2016), step-mother Kathleen Elizabeth Telkamp (2022), brother Donald Joseph Telkamp, Sr. (2018), nephew Donald Joseph Telkamp, Jr. (2019), and his love(s) Ellen (2020), Cherie (2015), and Chrissy (2017).
In honor of Mike’s wishes, he declined the idea of a funeral or ceremony to celebrate his life. His response was “Honor me by spending more time with those you love and care about. Hug them tighter than you normally would. Time goes by quicker than you know and once it’s gone, it’s gone… Don’t mourn my absence, honor me by living. If you feel the urge to donate, donate to a cause of your own choosing.”
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