Michael Elmer Borge, Jr. died July 6, 2023, in Purcell, Oklahoma at the age of 50 years 1 month 7 days. Graveside services were Monday, July 10, 2023, at the McGee Cemetery in Stratford, Oklahoma, entrusted to the care of Wadley’s Funeral Service.
Michael was born May 29, 1973, in San Jose, California to Michael and Tawana Borge. He graduated from Liberty High School in Brentwood, California in 1992, where he was on the wrestling and football teams.
Michael was passionate about martial arts and trained at BBB with his cousins. He worked as a glazier at Borge’s Glass, before moving to Oklahoma. Michael attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a BA in English in 2007. That same year, he met Karen Masters, an Oklahoma native, who was residing in Georgia. The two married on June 22, 2008, and spent most of their marriage living in Kennesaw, Georgia. Upon meeting Michael, Karen’s 12-year-old son declared that Michael “would make a great father.” Truer words were never spoken, and Michael’s fatherhood became official in 2012, when he adopted Miles.
Michael worked as an English teacher at Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael of Atlanta, before becoming a physical therapist assistant. He worked for Rosewell Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Kindred Home Health, until health issues forced him to resign.
Michael was very creative, writing several books and songs, and he played the guitar and ukulele until chemo made it too painful. He liked country music, Rubik’s cubes, Star Wars, and watching MMA fights with Miles. Michael’s heart was always in Oklahoma, and he and his family moved to Purcell shortly before his death.
Michael was preceded in death by his father, Michael Elmer Borge, Sr.; and his mother, Tawana Mericle-Lynn Martinez Borge.
Survivors include his wife, Karen Masters Borge; his son, Miles Sent-Leger-Franklin Borge, both of the home; his stepfather, Albert Steffans and wife, Carmen; his stepmother, Denise Borge; his siblings, Sherese Borge, Rachel Hill and husband, Terry, Lisa Winn, Ian Borge and wife, Tara, Courtney Mylan and husband, Nick, and Caleb Borge and wife, Nicole; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.
