Mike Haddix

The many adventures of Michael Harry Haddix, better known to most as Mike, began on March 14, 1946, in Omaha, Nebraska. He came from little means but lots of hard work and aspirations – the second of two sons (Frank being the first), Mike was born to Jesse Omar Haddix and Myra Lucille Tyrell. Lucille, his mother, had wanted a girl but gave birth to Mike instead. A pretty baby (Lucille was quick to point out), she nicknamed him “Mikey” and often adorned him in pink bows and sent him off to baton or ballet classes. “Mikey” forged ahead, and with time, became what one might call – a man’s man.

His love for animals began at a young age (even before ballet class). His first love was Topper, and their relationship would be the beginning of a life-long attachment to dogs. Any dog. Naming the dogs Mike held near and dear to his heart would be too long a list to include in this account of his adventures. His love for dogs was handed down to all his children, nephew, and grandchildren, and will continue to be a lasting legacy. Sometimes there has been a debate over what kind of dog was the best for hunting, but there is never an argument over whether one should have and love a dog.

Mike began hunting and fishing at a young age, but it should be noted for those who question a hunter’s love of animals, that he cried the first time his dad took him hunting and he shot a rabbit. Thus began his deep respect for the world of animals, their ecosystems and purpose on this earth. An adoration that drew him to the field of Biology. Mike was a biologist by schooling and by nature. He earned a BA in Biology and an MFA in Limnology (Fisheries Biology) from the University of Nebraska – Omaha. From an early age, he began planning his travels as well as his hunting and fishing ambitions.

It's difficult not to linger on the wild side of Mike because it was so much a part of who he was, but Mike was also a family man. He met Laura Leigh Edwards when he was 15 and she was 14 at a “sock hop” at North High School in Omaha. They never looked back. He played football, she was a cheerleader, both came from eager means, but both had longings of creating a family and Laura chose to be the wife of an adventurer and follow Mike wherever he chose to go. She even agreed to a honeymoon, camping in Valentine, Nebraska. Mike and Laura were married on July 27, 1966, in a modest wedding, surrounded by family members and soon after, they revealed that they were going to have their first child, Beci, in February of 1967. So often in the Haddix/Edward families – the math doesn’t add up. Call them crazy (many have), they welcomed their second child, Trevor, in December of the same year.

Mike and Laura went to college, worked, and raised two children with the help of Mike’s parents, including living in a small rental on their property. Eventually, they moved to their own home in Omaha, but Mike was restless and still had that list of places he wanted to travel to or live and work. Soon, Mike’s family headed to Montana (Billings, Laurel, and eventually Miles City) where he worked as a Fish & Game Biologist for the state of Montana.

While living in Billings, Mike would come home from work every day and walk Beci and Trevor to the Yellowstone River to fish. They were only 3 and 4 years of age, but they had their own tackle boxes and they were accompanied by their first dogs, Zeke and Clyde. One afternoon, after returning from work, Mike announced that he was going to fish alone and Beci threw herself to the ground protesting that Mike “was the worst dad in the world.” He took them both fishing that afternoon.

In Laurel, Mike and Laura built their own house. Mike decided to procure horses. He had little to no experience with horses, but proceeded to confidently break one, Cody, and along with Maude and Sam-I-Am, spent countless hours elk hunting on horseback. After only a year, work brought them to Miles City – a favorite home-base for the entire family. This was the perfect spot for hunting and fishing and traveling all around Montana and Yellowstone. One of Mike’s favorite get-aways was Emerald and Mystic Lake where the family encountered numerous bears and made incredible memories. But, the best Miles City memory (especially for Mike) was the birth of his youngest son and best friend, Tyler, born in December of 1974.

Eventually, Alaska called to Mike and he led his family on an expedition that would change his life for better and worse. Alaska (both Anchorage and Ketchikan) proved to be the perfect place to fish and hunt and work. Mike spent countless hours on the ocean in Little Louey, the family’s fishing boat, or hiking the backcountry hunting mountain goat, bears, caribou, deer, moose and more. He traveled for work overseeing salmon conservation and was a valued diplomat with the Canadian Fisheries and Ocean Department.

Mike, always a dad, took all three kids hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, and on trips to their family’s cabin on Prince of Wales Island. He fixed cars, played baseball and basketball, went to school plays, raised ducks, trained dogs, and often made everyone get up at 5 a.m. because sleeping in meant they were lazy…

In 1982, while on a work assignment, he injured his back. The injury didn’t stop him from doing the things he wanted to do, but his unwillingness to heed the advice of doctors and Laura would only make things worse over the years. It was a cycle that didn’t end until September when he passed away. Hoping the terrain and weather would be better elsewhere, they moved to Idaho Falls to be closer to their kids (anywhere in the lower 48 was closer).

Mike could not manage the idleness of retirement, so he took a job with the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. He opened Taylorview Kennels where he boarded, bred, and trained hunting dogs. He found himself once again riding horses (LeRoy being his favorite) and spent countless hours passing on his love of all things outdoors to his grandchildren when they were lucky enough to spend time with him. He had the honor of getting to know his great grandchildren as well and will no doubt, have an impact on their lives and the lives of their children.

The many adventures of Mike Haddix doesn’t really have an end and certainly can’t be summed up with the word count of an obituary. There is so much more to share and so many people who he inspired that haven’t been named here; friends of Tyler and Trevor that hunted and fished with him, girlfriends of Beci’s who had crushes on him, lifetime friends who confided in him and looked to him for advice, relatives both distant and near. He made an impact on so many lives.

Mike passed away under the care of Hospice of Eastern Idaho and Synergy at his home in Idaho Falls on September 24, 2025, surrounded by his children, wife and nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucille and Jesse (Mike) Haddix and sister-in-law, Sally. He will continue to grace those left behind with his sense of humor, courage, audaciousness, intellect, and love.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your favorite animal or wildlife conservation charity (Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Snake River Animal Shelter, your own local animal rescue).

A private family ceremony will be held next summer in Island Park. Please take time to share your memories on Legacy.com; the family will be very much appreciative.

And, when given the chance – slap an Alaskan brown bear on the ass. Mike did!

Mike is survived by his wife, Laura; his three children, Rebecca Beck (Jim), Trevor Haddix (Susie), and Tyler Haddix (Megan); his grandchildren, Jesse Haddix (Brittney), Falon Haddix, Jackson Loomis, Henry Loomis (Isabel), Katelyn Windsor (Paul), Mackenzie Ayers (Jake), Taylor and TJ George; and great grandchildren, Shiloh and Shayne Hoven and Declan and Halle Haddix; his brother, George Franklin Haddix (Susan); and nephew, Grant Haddix (Julie).