On March 16, 2024, Michael Golden, 74, of Norman, Oklahoma passed peacefully at home surrounded by his wife, Jennifer, his dog, Marlowe, and his cat, Pete who stayed vigilant at his side.

Michael was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and lived in the Middleton area until his family moved to Camden, New Jersey for his senior year of high school. Michael was a natural athlete and soon became the star of the basketball team and continued to love sports throughout his life. Michael was drafted in the early 1970s and served in the Army with the Long-Range Recon Patrol. Michael always wanted to move west, so after returning home from Vietnam he moved to Boulder, Colorado to attend the University of Colorado, where he received his BA in Political Science. In 1974 Michael first met Jennifer, who became his best friend and wife of 40 years. Michael and Jennifer lived in the Boulder/Denver area until 1995, when they moved from Colorado to Norman, Oklahoma to pursue graduate degrees at the University of Oklahoma, where Michael obtained a M.A. in Library Science.

Michael was known for his sense of humor, kindness, and generosity. He was a storyteller, often introducing himself as Cary Grant, his favorite movie actor, and always spinning a yarn and joking with everyone he met. However, few people who met Michael knew his accomplishments. Michael loved to cook and was an experienced chef, he was an insatiable reader with an encyclopedic knowledge of U.S. and European history, as well as a cinema buff who could tell you everything imaginable about classic movies and actors. In his later years, Michael began writing, and is the author of eight mystery novels that he self-published through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.

Michael never had any children, but since living in Norman he had opened his home and heart to almost twenty-five stray, rescue, shelter or special needs dogs and cats. Michael would always claim that Jennifer was the one responsible, but many of their four-legged furry family members had either "followed" Michael home, or Michael had relayed he had seen an animal in need somewhere, knowing full well that Jennifer would immediately take action to rescue them.

Michael was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Golden, his mother, Margaret Golden, and his brother, Patrick Golden.

Memorial contributions may be made to your local animal rescue organization or municipal shelter or to the Seven Sorrows BVM Church, 280 N. Race St., Middletown, PA 17057.

No services at this time.