Kylee Sloan

The bright moon these last few nights have really reminded me of Michael. I have known the Vega family for over 16 years, and he was like my big brother. I miss his smile and amazing sense of humor. Love you Mikee! ♥

Jackie Medina

Michael, you were a ray of light, always bright and smiling. It was such a pleasure to know you these last few months. We lost a friend, a leader, a ray of light. You will be missed by so many, but never forgotten.

Jonathan Adams

I've known Mike since Junior High. I think the only reason he talked to me was because I had a drum set. Mike was a cool kid so I was okay with that... He came over every single day after school to play my drums. At first, he wasn't very good but over the years he was able to jam a few grooves. Music really brought us together. We liked a lot of different bands, but one band that we were both diehards for was Incubus. Anyone who knew Mike knows he was a huge fan. We'd sit around for hours just listening to albums or watching the Morning View Sessions DVD over and over again. We learned the lyrics inside and out and could rock the air drums like it was nobody's business. We had a great time! I was fortunate enough to have Mike in my life long after those early days of our Incubus fanaticism. Mike went on to New Mexico and Japan and it was so awesome hearing of the stories and relationships he built along the way. I did my own bit of traveling so it was really cool being able to share stories and experiences with each other.  We remained part of a great group of best friends, brothers really, up until the day of his accident. I could go on for days with memories of Mike, but I'm just going to end by saying I am so thankful for Mike in my life. He really inspires me to simply be myself. Sometimes it's not easy to be yourself, but Mike was a master at it. 

I've included two photos with this post: The first is of Mike playing my drums when he was about 15 years old and the second is the two of us after our first Incubus show together on Halloween Night in 2003. 

Michael In Japan

Michael was always looking for an adventure. He certainly found some in Japan, where we met on exchange. Here are a few pics of our fun times. I love him with my whole heart and I will miss him dearly and daily. No matter what, we'lll keep kickin' it and keep our chins up in your memory. 

Fresh Ink!!!

Graduation Day

Miguelito & Bettina-san

Saji, Bas & Michael

That Face :)

Partying like that night was our last.

Gil, Cami & Michael

:)

Michael, Me and Julianna

Straight Ninja, all day Erryday.

Trying to blend in with the locals :P

always eating at 280 :)

mmmm vending machine sake with Bettina 

Always a Joker :)

He was so excited when he found this while we were shopping :)

Smoking some hookah.

Mike and Gil

Just kickin' it.

Love & light, 

Lauren

Sarah Tharp

Jenny Douthett sent this picture to me last night. After laughing for several minutes, I thought I'd upload it here! We were at a journalism conference in San Diego junior year of HS (2003ish?) and went exploring. Our group made a wrong turn somehow and had to climb this fence. Well, everyone made it over fine but me... It literally probably took me ten minutes or so. Maybe it was because everyone was laughing or I'm just an idiot but either way, I was holding up the group. Mike stood there and coached me over. Pretty sure at this point he was annoyed, but he still stood there and helped. That's how I'll always remember him. That weekend was a blast. I'm glad I have this photo to remind me of it and remember what type of person Mike was.

Moe Nunez

He was a great friend. An attractor of people, everyone loved to be around him and loved to pass time with him I'm gonna miss ya man this picture sums you up perfect

Justin Baca

Cassy Abraham

My favorite Mike memory was when Valerie Ryan, Sara Marie Slovak, and I drove to Arizona on a whim to see Diana Gardner Brucker. We got a speeding ticket for going WAY too fast and flat tire, but smiles never left our faces. Michael got his "Love." tattoo on that trip. Its remarkable how that one word can embody a person so entirely.

Joshua Emmanuel Tiqui

So, I've cried enough... I think I can share now

Michael Ray Vega had so many qualities I cherished and admired. I think it was Kim Varela that said "he thought a lot about what he thought about" and it really hit home. If I take away anything from the beautiful life he lived, it will be that.

I've seen so many o

f you that I haven't seen in months or even years that came out to pay respects and give us support, and despite the fact that it was this tragedy that was the reason we were all together, Vega would love to know that we are all together smiling and laughing in-between the tears.

I am HONORED to have spent his last 15 with him, and we got to chat a lot about some stuff that seems so unimportant now. He got to take his usual jabs at me, and I cherish those last few moments above all. Before we went back to work, he had me dying from laughter at the expense of a couple of our friends. In that 15 minutes, we did, however, chat about the bike ride he was going to take as soon as he got off.

Two hours later, he gave me his "cheers, mate" as he grabbed his bike before he left and I knew he wasn't heading straight home. I spent the last couple days in a lot of grief because my last words to him weren't "ride safe"; what I said was "ride hard". This absolutely crushed me for the next two days, but tonight I realized that it didn't matter what I said to him. He rode safe. And he rode hard.

Because that's how he lived life. He was passionate about EVERYTHING he did and he lived life to the fullest. At 25 years, he did more in his life than most of us will ever do. His last moments, he was going to see the woman he loved with all of his heart, probably listening to a song that she got into his head which made him love her more, riding the bike he loved riding, in front of a bike shop and a sushi restaurant, having just left the place he loved working at.

“We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?”
—Steve Jobs

Michael, look down at all of the tears and smiles and laughter you've brought together. You made your dent bro.

We love you and we miss you

Gordon Fok

I worked with Mike, while I was at Victoria Gardens. Well, humbly speaking, I was his trainer. Quiet fellow, sharp young dude. Sat at the table next to me. Slightly off topic, earlier that year I had an amazing assignment to work in Hong Kong for the summer with Apple. Anyway, it was my turn to speak, I spoke about the culture of our company, how the people was unified together around the world, from different continents. No matter where you go, if you worked for Apple and worked for them in an another country, you were greeted like family. When I spoke, I saw the exact same fellow light up, and suddenly looked interested.

The next day, I had the opportunity to sit with Vega, at the same table. We didn't get to talk much, because it was all lectures. However, it was when we went to a nearby In-N-Out. I drove, and he sat in my front seat of the car. He turned around and asked me,"dude have you been to Nippon?" I got all confused. But then realized, he was talking about Japan. Telling me how he stayed there for a month to 3 months, I believe? And that he would do it all over again, because he loved the culture and the pace. That car ride was the start of our friendship, as we learned a lot from each other's background. Finally we get to In-N-Out, he's was first to order. It was a grilled cheese.

The most humblest dude I'll ever meet...and also the first to show me what a steamroller was. More on that later...

Chase Pappas

I just wanted to share a quick story that Yvette reminded me of about Michael.

Yvette and I had an opportunity to take employees photos for the sake of Apple internal use and because we needed the photos to show up so the customer could get an idea of who they were going to be meeting up with while using the store's smart signs.

Anyway we had to go through about a hundred or so employees, and if anyone has been in our store it is always busy and people are back and forth in a rush. In our small and crowded store (at the time) Yvette had to grab individual employees and mark them off the list, which royally ticked her off to say the least. When we got to Michael, he was all for it, until I said that he had to take off his glasses. He looks at me and was like, "really?" Yvette stood up and said "ya its required" and then she said something like "say cheesies." So he looks at the camera partially and I snapped this picture.

This was really one of the first times that I interacted with Michael, and his smile was indicative of who he was and what he was all about. His playish, generous attitude and willing to smile even when things weren't going his way.

Thank You for everything Michael Vega...

Chase


May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be ever at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face
and the rain fall softly on your fields.
And until we meet again, Vega
May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

-Irish Blessing

Breanna Adams

Of all the memories to choose from its hard to tell just one. However, I’ll never forget the time when Mike and I had plans to hang out but my parents wouldn’t let me leave the house for whatever reason, whether it was too late on a school night, or whatever it was. Well, being the good friends that we were, I wanted to find a way to go hang out so I told a little white lie and told my parents I was going to walk down the street to Brenna Courtney's house, who many of you know as my “sister,” to get my sunglasses back from her. When really my plan was to hang out with Mike. Well, it worked, I got out of the house, walked down the street, and hopped in Mike’s blue truck… we all remember that truck. We talked for a bit and then I decided I needed to go back home before my parents realized that I wasn’t at Brenna’s house. So, I went home and thought I got away with this little fib .Well, little did I know, my neighbors saw, told my parents the next day, and I got in so much trouble! It cracks me up just thinking about it! Miss you Mike!

This is Mike being "sneaky" taking a picture. ohh that boy! So many fond memories, they keep coming back. Ride On Mike! Much Love ♥

Breanna Adams

Here is a picture of a few of us on Halloween in High School.. Me dressed as my brother, Allie the Fire Woman, Mike- with his humor, and Julian :)

Sharyn Obsatz

Michael was the Editor in Chief of the RCC Norco Voice when I was the faculty adviser. His staff loved him. He was so patient and encouraging with his fellow students. Plus he never lost his sense of humor, even on deadline. I am so sad.

Sarah Tharp

I was lucky enough to have journalism class with Mike for two years in high school. From our interests and the groups we hung out with, we were complete opposites. We formed a friendship regardless. Some of my best memories from high school are from that class and Michael Ray (as I called him, much to his dismay) is a large reason as to why. He was genuine, caring, and passionate. And he always had me laughing too (yes Mike, I still remember the earth revolves around the sun! Or.. is it the other way around?? :) ) Michael Ray, thanks for being my wonderful journalism friend and continued thoughts and prayers to your family and loved ones.

Jay Stubbs

Tiffany Alamprese

This is by far the saddest thing I have ever experienced in my life...I pain for the loss of Michael and emptiness that his entire family is left to endure. Michael was such a positive person and I am blessed that I too, was able to be touched by him. I can remember telling him how crazy I thought he was for riding that bike EVERYWHERE! He just smiled :) he definitely loved riding like no other :) you will be missed Michael. Although we feel that you still had so much to live for, it seems unfair and wrong in so many ways... this was God's plan for you... You're a beautiful angel now, ride in peace Michael ♥

Randi Rodgers

Mike was someone who I always wanted to think I was cool. Not in a shallow way. He was the co-editor-on-chief when I writing for the Husky Express, I wanted him to think I was clever. Maybe other people had that same feeling. More than that, the guy had substance, he cared about things, was actively creative, and with a style all his own. My heart aches for his loss, and that of his family. Peace and blessings to all of you who had the pleasure to know and love Mike. (Pic is from Dec 2010)

Donations Through Aug 30th - $680

680$ - Thank you so much to everyone who has donated and posted so far. Our goal is 6000$

Tiffany Dobson

I remember when he started growing out his dreads. He would come up to me everyday in Mrs. Richardson's math class and say "See Tiff, I got soul. I got soul." That you do Mike :)