Honoring Michael's Life: A Father's Farewell

My name is Courtney Martindell, My father Michael Martindell took a swim Tuesday afternoon 7/22 at the Austin Peay library and didn’t come back up. Shelby County search and rescue found him Wednesday afternoon 7/23.

My father was an Addict and homeless due to his addiction at the time of his passing. He’s been an addict to drugs and alcohol since the age of 13.

His last wishes were to be buried with his mom he lost at 13 years old. Unfortunately we aren’t a wealthy family, and the funeral home quoted $16,000 plot included to lay my father to rest and have a proper service.

He was a joyful man, if you’ve ever ran into him, I’m sure you left with a smile on your face! Making other people happy is what kept him going on this journey of life! Wether is was literally giving you the shirt off his back, the last few dollars he had, driving backwards with his feet in Memphis, stories about his “badass family”, or stories about his life, that made him happy and the other person hearing laugh.

We are grieving the loss of a Son, Father, grandpappy, and brother.

If you have anything, even if it’s a dollar, every little thing helps, and we appreciate it so much dearly!