Read Michael David Gristock's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Michael David Gristock

Porterville, CA

November 4, 1956 - November 10, 2021

Nov 4, 1956 - Nov 10, 2021

In lieu of flowers

In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Special Olympics Southern California.

Learn more & give
Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Photo

On November 10, 2021, our 65 year old brother, Michael David Gristock, joined his mother, Mary Louise Odom Gristock Snider, his father, Richard Alvin Gristock, and his half-sister, Kelly Jean Gristock, in the afterlife. He had been declining physically and mentally and was lovingly cared for by Kelly and Steve Baumgardner and their staff in the Porterville, CA assisted living home for the disabled that he was fortunate to reside in.

He leaves behind his siblings: Deborah Rose, Sue Hardisty, Ron Gristock, Rick Gristock and Gary Snider and their families.

Michael was born on November 4, 1956 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia where his mother taught in an American community and his father worked for Aramco as a draftsman. The first of four children, and a half-brother to two siblings, Michael was special and consequently spent most of his life living with other families.

A ward of the state since the age of 7 placed him into a children’s home. When Michael aged out (at 18 years of age) he was placed in a home with an elderly couple until he was 32 years old, at which time he spent 30 years with the Anne Gibson family in Porterville. It was in this home that Michael learned how to write his name, discovered his passion for coloring, cowboys, soldiers, and toy cars and learned how to behave in public.

His natural family would visit him on his birthday and for Christmas. Each visit served as a reminder and reckoning of his mother’s limitations to care for him herself and while she was comforted to see him thriving, learning and growing in a loving environment, she also grieved her loss and we wondered what our lives and relationships would have been like if he had been able to grow up with us.

As an adult, Michael helped tend the handicap pottery kiln that made beautiful pottery, helped clean up the neighborhood (a job perfect for someone who liked to pick up odds and ends and stuff them into his pockets) and he even joined a bowling league. He prided himself on being able to write his name and he loved to color and play with toy soldiers. He also loved cowboys and had a painting of John Wayne hung in his room. He had all the cowboy attire, too, which he wore frequently. He would perk up and make mostly indiscernible comments whenever a western or a movie with soldiers in it came onto the TV screen. Michael was a devoted fan of the Star Wars movies and had all the collectable Star Wars items he could find. Unable to verbally communicate well, Michael would express himself through his eyes and tone of voice. You knew when he was serious or mad or sad. And you knew when he absolutely loved and adored you.

Michael was also quite the dancer. It was a joy to watch him get lost in the music and express the connection he had to the song through his dancing. You often witness this level of uninhibitedness in someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but with Michael, it was just the way he was. I suppose this is true for most individuals with Down Syndrome.

When Michael’s dementia and declining health became more challenging, he was transferred to the Baumgardner assisted living home and his prior caregiver of so many years, Ann Gibson, retired to Nipomo, CA. We are grateful to both of these caregivers for the work that they do and for the loving care they provided to Michael.

Michael’s special needs trust afforded the family the opportunity to show Michael the world beyond Porterville. His good buddy and fellow resident, Todd Hamblin was his faithful traveling friend, along with various couples who provided supervision and care, including Michael’s sister’s Kelly Gristock and Deborah Rose and brother-in-law, Jay Rose. Todd understood Michael and served as translator and comfort companion. Together they traveled and Michael reveled in all the new experiences.

Michael was especially fond of his sister, Deborah, who would bring Michael to her home for the holidays, take him on fun trips such as to DisneyWorld, FL, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, Family 4th of July Celebrations and Holidays. Michael also loved and spent time with his sister Kelly Gristock, also now deceased. His family spoiled him on his birthdays, taking him shopping and dining, and always, always making sure he had cake to celebrate every occasion because it isn’t a celebration without cake (at least in Michael’s mind)! After each visit, the many photos taken were printed and put into a memento photo album for him to take home.

Whenever our kleptomaniac brother visited, we made sure to check his baggage and pockets before he returned home to retrieve the assortment of trinkets and gadgets he had lifted during his stay with us. No words needed to be spoken. It became part of the visit routine. We would avoid eye contact with him because his eyes pleaded “Are you sure I can’t keep it?” Inside we’d sigh, and sometimes laugh at the things he thought worthy to steal: pens, pencils, crayons, paperclips, candy, even a chopstick...whatever he could fit in his pockets.

Our favorite story about Michael is when he was visiting Deborah and Jay Rose and they were hours away from taking him to the airport and could not find the small Apple TV remote control. They immediately suspected Michael, but a quick frisking yielded no remote. But then, he made a sly smile and looked down at his shoe. The little devil had found a new hiding place!

One Christmas visit, he managed to stuff everyone’s stocking into his bag. Every time we would get ready to take him to the airport, we had to frisk him and empty those pockets of his to avoid the sensors going off when he walked through the Security and him getting arrested for who knows what he took! AND good luck trying to pry his newfound treasures from his pocket or hands! We will miss these search and rescue missions.

A private family service will be held in 2022 to honor Michael’s life. He will be laid to rest alongside his mother and step-father (George Snider) in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Concord, CA.

Donations can be made to Kleptomaniacs Anonymous or you may gift a nice coloring book and crayons to someone you love. And then, pick up a trinket off the street and stuff it in your pocket and remember Michael.

Order a beautiful PDF you can print and save or share.

Get the PDF

Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.

In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Special Olympics Southern California.

Learn more & give