Michael Zack Abrams

Michael Zack Abrams, a career coal miner who tirelessly pursued his diverse life passions to become, inter alia, a master outdoorsman and resoundingly popular assistant coach, died unexpectedly on December 17, 2024, at the age of 75. He was surrounded by beloved family members.

“Big Mike” was born on June 15, 1949, on the army base in Tacoma, WA. Mike’s father, Jack Abrams, earned numerous medals of distinction during combat in WWII. Jack married Mike’s mother, Jeanne S. Walker, in 1947 and relocated the Abrams family to Englewood, Colorado in 1956. In school, Mike tended to prefer athletics over academics and became a standout in wrestling and football. Mike spent the summers of his youth in Ogalala, Nebraska, where he was first introduced to his lifelong obsessions of hunting, fishing and all things outdoors by a mentor.

Mike received a football scholarship to Colorado State University- Pueblo. At college, he met Lois E. Abrams, who he would marry and go on to raise two children with, the aforementioned Michael II and Raymond J. Abrams. After briefly relocating to Casper, Wyoming, Mike settled his family in the prairie seclusion of Gillette, Wyoming. 

Mike worked as a blaster and driller in an above-ground coal mine for over 40 years, priding himself on his work ethic and near perfect attendance. He used the overtime that he would accrue to take hunting trips with close friends to the Alaskan wilderness. Mike also somehow found time to become deeply involved in football, baseball and other youth sports, which routinely involved arduous bus trips throughout Wyoming and its surrounding states.

Mike eventually retired and served for a time as a guide for large game in Wyoming. He then relocated to Lake Park, Georgia. While in Lake Park, Mike found love again and married Gayle Dykes Abrams. Mike spent the remainder of his years enjoying his retirement with Gayle in Georgia. Mike also especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, Aubrey Abrams, Ivy Abrams and Cody Toler.

Mike was a man of few words, but had an unyielding internal drive and ingenuity, a surprising knack for finding friends in strangers and an uncompromised bravery. He will be remembered as a devoted father, loving husband, good friend, animal lover and one-of-a-kind character of the American West. 

Mike is preceded in death by his parents (Jack and Jeanne Abrams), his sister, and his first wife (Lois E. Abrams). He is survived by his wife (Gayle Dykes Abrams); his first son (Michael Abrams II) and his wife (Sarah Abrams) and their children (Aubrey and Ivy Abrams); and his second son (Raymond Abrams) and his wife (Theresa Abrams). Mike is further survived by his son-in-law (Corey Toler) and his wife (Katrina Toler), and their son (Cody Toler). The family would like to especially thank Mike’s great friends throughout his life: Ralph, RJ, Charlie and Rusty.

No services are planned at this time, online condolences may be shared at www.mclanefuneralservices.com

Carson McLane Funeral Home