James Michael Kaiser
December 20th 1980 – March 14th 2007
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is life began as tragically as it ended – born premature he suffered a stroke. As a result, little Michael was blind, and his brain was only partially developed. The doctors told his parents he would not make it past infancy. His parents refused to believe this, and when they weren’t working, they spent countless hours with Michael on the floor of their living room doing exercises meant to stimulate Michael’s motor skills and physical growth. At just over a year old, his parents took him in for one of his countless doctor visits. Upon receiving the test results, the specialists were left with no explanations – the CAT scan revealed a fully developed and functional brain. This was medically impossible. Michael made the front page of the El Paso Times under the heading “Miracle Baby”. From there Michael went on to lead a normal life. He fell in love with school. Learning excited Michael, and he absorbed knowledge like a thirsty sponge. He surprised everyone (except for his parents) when he started making honor roll late in his elementary years. He continued to make honor roll throughout middle school and high school while expanding his scholastic talents and abilities to include year book staff, basketball, and football. Throughout all of this, Michael was charming his way into the hearts and minds of many people who would become lifelong friends. After graduating high school, his father introduced him to the game of billiards. This is where Clicks came into play – Michael’s interest in math and angles had given birth to yet another skill. He fell in love with the game of pool, especially 9-Ball, demonstrating once again that he had many talents. Michael would come into Clicks around mid afternoon and play till closing. In no time at all, Mike befriended the entire staff and became what is considered a “regular”. Being the good-natured soul that he was, Mike was always offering to help; he would run errands for staff members, wash glasses, stock, and do anything else that was needed. He would do all of this and ask for nothing in return. About this time, Texas Hold’em poker tournaments started popping up all over El Paso. Once again, Mike found a new hobby that utilized his greatest asset – his mind. Although pool took a back seat to poker, Mike still found time to squeeze it in, playing in tournaments around town and with friends just for fun. Michael excelled at poker; he read all the books he could find on the topic. When he wasn’t playing poker, he was watching it on TV. Clicks decided to start holding poker tournaments, and with that, Michael joined the Clicks family as a “Pit Boss”, running Texas Hold’em poker tournaments – he was no longer just an “honorary employee” anymore. Right from the start, Mike’s friendly demeanor and sincerity won poker players over. He was so good-natured and polite, he had the ability to make fun of a player’s poorly-played hand, and that person would laugh right along with him. Many players became close friends with Michael because of his incredible personality, adding to the already huge list of people that had the honor of calling him a true friend! On March 14th 2007, Michael was tragically taken away from us. Although Michael spent a very brief time on this earth – in that time he embraced life and lived it to the fullest, enjoying time spent with family and friends. He was a kind soul with a warm heart – never rude to anyone. His life was way too short, but I know God needed him elsewhere to fulfill his true calling. For those of us who knew him, no matter how short the time – We Are Truly The Lucky Ones And Should Rejoice – for those that didn’t know him and now never will, I feel sorry – for they are the ones that have suffered a real loss!
James Michael Kaiser will be missed dearly but never forgotten!
Michael, although you are not with us in an earthly sense, your presence is felt – not even death can extinguish your kindness, generosity, your love, or your light!
Love,
Your best friend and brother