MIKE CAVENDER (June 7, 1946 - January 3, 2013)
Milton Michael “Mike” Cavender died peacefully in his sleep from lung cancer on Thursday, January 3rd, around 5:30am, in his south hill home in Spokane.
In March of 2007, Mike was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, an autoimmune disease that turns the lungs to scar tissue. He received a lung transplant in February of 2009 but was later diagnosed with a rare and aggressive lung cancer in November of 2011. This cancer was linked to his exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Viet Nam. After successful surgeries and chemotherapy treatments, he enjoyed a brief remission. However, the cancer returned just seven months later. His final battle lasted less than one month.
Mike Cavender was born June 7th, 1946 in Spokane, WA, to Bud and Karolle Cavender. The eldest of four boys, he attended St. Charles Parochial School, Gonzaga Prep and graduated from Shadle Park High School in 1964
Mike joined the Navy in October of 1964 and served as a corpsman with the US Marines in Vietnam from March 1966 to April of 1967.
On September 6, 1966, when he was 20 years old, Mike Cavender was awarded the Navy Commendation Metal for Meritorious Achievement during a battle that took place on June 26, 1966 in Vietnam. The citation reads: “For heroic achievement…while serving as a hospital corpsman. Cavender’s Company was heavily engaged with a Viet Cong unit entrenched in a tree line. He calmly and ably ministered to the wounded and badly burned men while under intense fire from three sides. The following day, again under heavy fire he exhibited a high degree of professionalism and presence of mind under hostile fire. Cavender was an inspiration to all who observed him and upheld the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
Mike was honorably discharged from service in September of 1967. If you asked him how long he was in the military he would tell you “2 yrs - 10 mos - 19 days - 8 hrs and 10 mins”.
Mike began his post military career as a bartender at the Rock Tavern in Post Falls, Idaho in early 1968. There, he met Cliff Berger and began booking bands through Northwest Entertainment in mid 1968, which was eventually renamed Northwind Booking Alliance.
Mike closed Northwind and joined the Dave Sobol Agency where he worked with Harley Record and the infamous Billy Tipton. In 1980, Mike left the Dave Sobol Agency to form Cavender and Associates with Al DeWood.
Mike is well known and respected for his contribution to and support of the arts in the Inland Northwest; in particular, the music scene. As an entertainment agent, he at one time managed an upwards of 40 bands, nearly 30 venues, and controlled 90% of the market.
Mike served on the board of Washington State Arts Alliance, The Davenport Arts District Board and was President of the Board for the Spokane Arts Commission for six years. He collected original fine art and surrounded himself with creative people.
In 1990, Mike became a licensed real estate agent, working as a double agent until March of 1994, when he left Cavender and Associates to work full time as a realtor for Tomlinson Realty.
Mike Cavender is survived by his friend and former wife of 36 years, Kathleen Cavender of Spokane, son Devin Beach of Newport, WA, daughter Jennifer Cheslek of Pullman, WA, daughter Rachel Cavender of Seattle, WA, and son Nathanael Cavender of Spokane, WA.
Mike leaves behind three brothers: Nick Cavender of Spokane Valley, WA, John Cavender of Suisun City, California, and James Cavender of Caribou, Maine, as well as his six granddaughters: Ashleigh, Shelby, Katie, Annie, Meaghan and Gracie, his four grandsons: Cody, Kyle, Matthew and Joshua, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and in-laws who all loved him dearly. He has left an enormous void in our family and in the heart of a community that he served with great pride.
A public memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan 19, 1pm, at West Central Community Center, 1603 North Belt Street, Spokane, WA. Mike Cavender will be cremated and laid to rest in late spring near his parents in Tekoa, WA at Goldenrod Cemetery overlooking Tekoa Mountain.