WE LOVE YOU MIKE! Rest In Peace

MICHAEL JEFFREY "MIKE" MEDDAUGH

Born May 8, 1968 in Ithaca, New York, on Mother's Day. 

He died at home under Hospice care surrounded by his Loved Ones in Carrizozo, New Mexico, on November 6th,  2021 due to 
complications after emergency sectioning, the discovery of advanced Lymphoma, and COVID-19 exposure. 

He was married to  "Bo" Caudill on May 8, 2016, which was Mother's Day. Bo and Mike met in 1995 and shared 26 happy and full years together. 

Mike was graduated from Brooktondale Baptist High School, Ithaca, New York.  Class of '86. 

Mike worked as a pastry chef alongside  Chef Andre at Andre's Restaurant, in Albuquerque, NM. He labored many more as a custom tile setter, often collaborating with husband, Bo, on colorful and innovative jobs, including murals and tiled "Navajo Floor Rugs"  in homes from Los Lunas to Santa Fe. Mike and Bo also worked in tandem as poll officials for City and Federal Elections during their years in Albuquerque, always encouraging others to get registered, and reminding them that "their vote counts". Mike was a self-taught artist and painter, producing DJ Mixes with fantastic collaged covers, and dreamlike canvases in acrylic and oil. 

He is preceded in death by his Father, Charles Meddaugh, Ugly the Cat, Lulu the Saint Bernard, and Pippin the Dog. 

He is survived by his Mother, Sharon Culver Meddaugh; Sister Gerri Lynn George; brothers Scott, Kenny, and Chris. Nieces Megan Dann, Jasmine Vanderbilt, and other beloved Meddaugh family. He is further survived by husband Bo; best friend Len Perry, and Ginger and Pinky. 

Mike loved his family, his friends, animals, and children. His quiet demeanor won the hearts of many and he was really just a big kid at heart, never losing his boyish charm. He also loved music, movies, dressing up in uniforms, Star Trek, weight lifting, peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches, "Emergency Spaghetti", and Bo. His studied impersonation of Mick Jagger's "Emotional Rescue", performed in the sunshine with his own vocals using the front porch as a stage, was Legendary. Although known for his quiet reserve, over the years Mike grew increasingly outspoken about what he believed in. However, if push came to shove, Mike would "agree to disagree" and be the first to emphasize that he loved you and that's what counts.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mike and Bo were some of the first in their community to be vaccinated. They kept strict limits and didn't see people, but always made a concerted effort to call loved ones on a regular basis and check in. 
Before he passed, Bo asked if Mike had any last wishes that he could take care of for him. He answered, "All my wishes have come true."

The Medical staff at Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, Alamogordo, are to be commended for their diligence and care. 

Heartfelt thanks for the many calls, cards, and generous contributions to Mike's GoFundMe which truly worked miracles and raised over half of the Funerary fees. The Love and and support you shared with Bo and Len these last few months has made all the difference.  You can read details in Mike's GoFundMe story here:  https://gofund.me/e81f2d10 Any further donations received will be saved for a Memorial Service which is TBA, pandemic permitting, until we can see each other again. 

Stay in touch with Bo via phone is best at (575) [phone redacted] (see P.S.) and feel free to share photos and memories on Mike's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mike.meddaugh.75

Condolence Addresses: 

Sharon Meddaugh:
10 Golden Lane, Apartment 4, Newark Valley, NY, 13811

Bo Caudill:
PO Box 1202,
1400 B Avenue,
Carrizozo, NM       88301

Funeral Arrangements entrusted to:
ALAMOGORDO  FUNERAL HOME and P.C.S.;  
Alamogordo, New Mexico 

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PS: If you would like to phone Bo or reach Mike’s family, please contact the organizer or reach out privately on Facebook. 

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The rest of the following  story constitutes my attempt to capture basic details of Mike’s (and Bo’s)  months of hospital ordeals.  There  may be factual  errors and incongruencies due to the fact that I was never physically present; I have been  speaking to Bo at least once if not several times a day, scribbling notes… In the early stages of the fundraiser,  I was forced to edit the basic story completely so that it would make sense to you readers, however my neophyte relationship with the workings of the “gofundme” site itself made those transitions less than seamless and I apologize. (There may be multiple initial versions out there…)

But  here is the sum total of the story,  listed in “REVERSE TIME” , and shared in good faith “for the record”, as it were. 
     A special thank you to the ever helpful and definitely HUMAN “gofundme” customer service team who were always there for me in a pinch. 

      Sincerely Yours, 
       N.F. 

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11/6/21
  On The morning of November 6, our friend and brother Mike passed away. We still can’t really fathom how all of this unfolded. Things seemed to progress from bad to better, then  to worse all too fast.

As we all struggle to take care of our feelings, let’s remember to share the good memories with each other and take care of each other.

Bo offered a wonderful memory just last night.  I brought ugly and their lives and I didn’t know this incredible tidbit:

Bo; “Nilz did you know that Mike was so close to that tough-stuff once- ferile big greyTom cat, Ugly, that he was able to convince him to wear little drag queen wigs? Mike retro fitted them from old Madame Alexander doll wigs to perch on top of Ugly’s big silky head. Cats normally hate to have anything on their heads but Ugly wore them as though they were crowns,  because Mike made them with love, and talked To him in that way he bonded with animals and all of us…a strap was out of the question.   Ugly would keep a wig proudly balanced in place for an hour!  Imagine! Mike made Ugly a little curly blonde Dolly Parton wig and a sassy brunette Whitney Houston wig!”

*************+++**********+**+*+*
When Bo had a drastic stroke in June and was hospitalized, Mike   kept the home fires burning.  He rallied the “love troops” on Facebook and via phone and made the daily trips to Alamogordo with Len to visit Bo, reassure him, and cheer him on. It was an arduous recovery but Bo met the challenges head on, and was described as possessing one of the best Attitudes in a patient that the rehab team had ever encountered. He was released in August…

It was in September, just when Bo was getting Enough of his strength back to walk around the house slowly on his own, that things took an unexpected  turn and Mike became seriously  ill. He was  incapacitated with searing abdominal pain and couldn’t keep even water down.

11/5/21

 Mike’s homecoming was a mixed blessing, due To a drastic oversight made at the hospital during his exit…
        Bo and Len and the attending Hospice Nurse did everything in their power to be ready for his late evening arrival an hour away back home in Carrizozo. 

     Mike was in a limited state of consciousness when the ambulance brought him home. Then the reality of the error hit:  the Hospital made a serious error and didn’t send him home with any of the pain medication listed on his orders.

         I’ve known hospice nurses and I have always received the impression that they are often equipped to solve this sort of crisis,  but for whatever reason, No doubt because it was night-time and Carrizozo is a fairly  remote small town, Unfortunately, this Hospice Nurse’s  hands were tied.  Although emergency calls were made, Mike was forced to bravely weather the storm as his medication wore off until 9 AM the next morning when replacement medication could finally be acquired. 

        We mention this experience as a warning to families who live in the country: Is the transition to home hospice care is being made, dont’  let this happen to your dying  loved one. 

       But LOVE PREVAILS,  as always,  and Mike was finally back  in his own home and reunited with his two beloved four-legged canines, Pinky the Pomeranian and GINGER.   Bo and Len stayed by Mike’s side continuously, reassuring him, Bo holding his hand throughout. 

      

11/4/21

Dear Family and Friends of Michael "Mike" Meddaugh.

Please join me in sending all of our love, support and best wishes to our Sweet friend, Mike. 

Angels work in mysterious ways, and last night Mike was released from Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, the hospital in Alamogordo, N.M. He was sent home to his eccentric and comfortable rambling ranch house in Carrizozo, N.M. His husband and partner of nearly 30 years, Bo Caudill, is right at his side. Their best buddy, Len, has moved in to help, and Mike has finally been reunited with their beloved dogs, Ginger and Pinky. 

Mike had been hospitalized for the past five weeks, if not longer. The Hospice Nurse arrived this morning to get Mike set up and to train Bo and Len for nights she can't be there.

While there had been encouraging signs of improvement in past weeks,  unfortunately, the lymphoma has progressed to the final stage. The Doctor's confirmed that Mike's liver failed,  and that it's only a matter of time.  The Medical Staff at the Hospital are to be commended for their ongoing care. They performed two successful emergency sectioning surgeries, one to remove a small portion of the large intestine, the second to remove much more of the small intestine.

***IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE KNOW THAT MIKE NEVER HAD, NOR DOES HE CURRENTLY HAVE COVID-19.*** Mike and Bo were in the first rounds of people in their community to be vaccinated, and he entered the hospital unable to eat or drink and in incredible intestinal pain. Due to a spike in COVID cases in Alamogordo, for about a week the Hospital itself had to go into lock down and no outside visitors were permitted. During that time, Mike "tested positive", either for exposure to COVID, or perhaps he had antibodies in his system from being vaccinated, which would be normal.  For a short time, Mike was in a COVID  ward. Fortunately, the Hospital lock down was lifted and Bo and Len were able to continue their daily two hour round-trip pilgrimage to be with Mike and hold his hand.

In this scary world where COVID protection is ongoingly required, providing for human intimacy must never be sacrificed.

Bo has only just gotten well enough to handle the physical demands of this crisis. Bo suffered from a stroke in June and worked steadily with his rehab and regained the strength to stand and walk around by himself by mid September...  It cannot be mentioned enough that it is due to the incredibly soulful, selfless and omnipresent work and devotion of their best friend Len, That all of the traveling to and from Alamogordo was made possible. He has supported but with Mike in every way and been an incredible driver, consistent and supportive companion and a true model of a friend. H

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE OUTPOURING OF BEST WISHES AND CONTRIBUTIONS.  Your donations made it possible for MIKE AND BO to be together physically EVERY DAY during the hospital stay. . Len has been a real trooper, driving Bo DAILY from their home in Carrizozo. The hospital is an hour's drive away, and YOU ALL  put gas in their tank, oil in their engine, and lots of love and encouragement in their hearts to Keep On Keepin' On for Mike.

Many of you have had the distinct pleasure of knowing and loving Mike and Bo since time immemorial, and some of you may only have become "friends" more recently via Social Media.  Still others of you Donating Angels have given spontaneously without "knowing" Mike at all. Regardless, all humans will agree that once you've met Mike, you just fall in love with him. There is no mistaking or forgetting his sweet, genuine charisma and genuine heart, as big as that beautiful, wide smile and sparkling blue eyes. We LOVE YOU, MIKE, and ALWAYS WILL!

Bo has asked that all remaining funds collected here be sent directly to the Funeral Home in Carrizozo,  ANY CONTRIBUTION YOU CAN MAKE NOW REMAINS a valuable one, big or small. Money is not the point. Love is the currency Mike and Bo have always shared in abundance, and in my own experience, and after spending time with them in their unforgettable house full of art and collectibles, there is no one who comes away without a home cooked meal, a hug, and a full heart.

PLEASE SHARE THIS FUNDRAISING LINK ANYWHERE!!!! PLEASE SHARE ON YOUR PROFILE / PRIVATE MESSAGES/ email!

CONDOLENCE MAIL CAN BE SENT DIRECTLY TO :

MIKE’S MOTHER:
SHARON MEDDAUGH
10 GOLDEN LANE, APT 4
NEWARK VALLEY, N.Y.    13811

MIKE’S HUSBAND:
BO CAUDILL
PO BOX 1202
CARRIZOZO, N.M 88301 U.S.A.
 
Please don't hesitate to call them at this time. Bo welcomes any and all calls. There is no mistaking the power of the human voice, and the Boys have both been deeply moved and unexpectedly overwhelmed at times after hearing from old friends, near and far. If there's no answer, please call back. Bo and Mike have only one cell phone. You will hear Mike's unmistakable masculine voice declaring his recorded name as the outgoing message. The voicemail box will understandably be full. Please call back, OR  send me, Nilz Fullerton, any message via the LINK below and I will forward it to Bo or Len ASAP. 

Mike is in a limited state of consciousness and not capable of conversation. Bo conveys simple messages and questions to him. He answers with "Yes" or "No".

It is heartening to note that Mike has been humming and singing to himself throughout his ordeal .

These days, it feels like everyone is facing  shocking challenges in our bodies, homes and communities. Let us be grateful for this time to come together and share our love and good memories.

THANK YOU, ALWAYS. (ALL WAYS)

Nilz Fullerton
Sandia Park, N.M., U.S.A.