Michael Roy Bartley

February 1, 1962 - June 3, 2025

Michael Roy Bartley, aged 63, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2025, in Seattle, Washington, following his year-long cancer battle. He was a kind and devoted father, loving husband, cherished brother, beloved uncle, great friend, and outstanding soccer coach.

Born in Everett, Washington, to Kenneth and June Bartley on February 1, 1962, Michael (Mike) was the youngest of three children and lived his life always knowing the love of his older brothers, Hal (Doug) and Paul.

Mike’s idyllic childhood included Boy Scouts, road trips to Oregon and South Dakota to visit family, and camping trips. In the summer, he played pick-up baseball and football games with his brothers and neighborhood friends. Mike loved sports and played on basketball, baseball, and soccer teams, often coached by his father or brother, Paul. Mike and Doug shared a passion for fishing and spent many hours trying to catch a fish.

Mike graduated from Cascade High School in 1980, where he played varsity soccer for four years. His coach, Patrick Sullivan, also coached the Saints soccer team that traveled to Germany in the summer of 1979. Mike toured Germany and Austria for three weeks, living with host families and playing matches against local teams. It was a great and memorable adventure.

Upon graduating from CHS, Mike attended Everett Community College, where he played soccer for two years. Mike was an all-league defender on the team that won the NWWAAC championship in 1981.

Mike began working as a buyer at Boeing in 1991, retiring in January 2025.

Mike met and married Joan Baratto in 1994. His beloved son, Joshua, was born in 1995 and was a great source of pride and joy. Much of their family life revolved around St. Thomas More School and Parish, as well as Archbishop Murphy High School and soccer.

In later years, his life centered around his family and his passion for soccer. He continued to play soccer as an adult and in 1986 was hired as girls' Varsity soccer coach at Eastside Catholic HS. This was the beginning of an impressive coaching career that spanned until his death. Mike coached his teams at Eastside, Issaquah, Jackson, Meadowdale, and Archbishop Murphy High Schools with dedication. He was organized and detailed, loved keeping stats, and was skilled at creating systems each year, adapting them as players changed. He supported and motivated his players to find their self-confidence and to strive for excellence on and off the field. Mike created a positive environment for player development and growth. He was funny and could be a bit silly, especially on the bus rides home, but was serious and strict when needed. Mike was a mentor to many, often attending league soccer games of past and current players during the off-season.

As a successful coach, his teams won the state tournament four times, and Mike was awarded “Coach of the Year” fourteen times throughout his career. In 2013, Mike celebrated his 400th league win while coaching Joshua’s AMHS team. Mike obtained his “C” license and coached Washington State Youth Soccer clinics.

Mike prioritized coaching Joshua's youth and select soccer teams. He treasured the time spent coaching and traveling to tournaments with Josh and his teammates.

Mike resigned from his AMHS coaching positions in February 2025 and was hired as head coach of the Kamiak HS girls team, scheduled to begin in the fall of 2025. This past spring, Mike and Josh volunteered as boys soccer assistant head coaches at Marysville Pilchuck High School alongside his brother, Paul and nephew, Raymond O’Dell. This experience was not the first time they had coached together, but was the first time Mike was not “in charge”. Mike shared his insights with the players and as always, enjoyed being with the team.

Mike’s many friendships were important to him; he loved running into past players and hearing updates on where life had taken them. He could remember nearly every game he coached and most of the players by name.

In May, Mike went on his dream vacation to Hawaii with Joshua, Paul and his family. He enjoyed lazy days at the beach, golfing at Turtle Bay Resort, playing cards, and watching the sunset. He was excited to see Pearl Harbor and spent a day touring the site. We looked at the night sky and talked about nothing and everything. We are so grateful to have spent this time together.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth, and is survived by his wife, Joan; son, Joshua; brother Hal Douglas (Debbie) Bartley; brother Paul (Toni) Bartley; mother June Bartley; and cherished nephews and nieces.

Mike may have left this world, but his love and legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 21st at 1:00 p.m. at the Archbishop Murphy High School gymnasium, 12911 39th Avenue SE, Everett, Washington.

In place of flowers, please consider donating to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center or your choice of AMHS Endowment and Scholarship funds.

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