Michael P. Batchellor

Michael P. Batchellor

 September 2, 1943 - July 10, 2023

Michael Powell Batchellor, beloved father and obsessive car enthusiast, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 10, 2023 of cardiac complications. While he was only 54 days shy of his 80th birthday, you’d never know it by the hours he still worked, the cars he drove, or the hundreds of miles he traveled across the State of Texas.

Michael was born September 2, 1943 in Hackensack, N.J. to Mary Blanche Stout and Walter Roy Batchellor. He went to Harlingen High School in Texas and landed in the United States Air Force at a very young age. Although stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, his service took him as far as Greenland and to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where the first of his six children was born.

After the military, Michael went to work for Texas Instruments from the early 1970's until April, 1983 when he spent a brief year at VSLI Technology, Inc. in San Jose, Ca. Continuing his career in technology, he returned to Texas in 1984 and worked for Advanced Micro Devices until retiring from full-time work. But, unable to sit still for very long, Michael was always working part-time and even tried his hand at his own used car business. His final job was at Enterprise Car Rental in Austin where he was for eight years up until he died.

Ask anyone about Michael and they’ll tell you how much he loved muscle cars and all kinds of music but particularly rock. He also loved jet boats, enjoyed spending time on the lake, was very proud of his services to his country, and was obsessively tidy. His jeans were always ironed and he never willingly went to the hospital without first getting a pedicure.

Michael had three sons and three daughters: Michael Wayne Batchellor, Mary Anita Batchellor Nichols, Melissa Carol Batchellor Roach, Quentin Roy Batchellor, Clayton Michael Batchellor, and Nicole Le Ann Batchellor.

He leaves behind ten grandchildren including: Daniel Lynn Nichols, William Jay Nichols, Ryan Travis Roach, Austin James Roach, Marcus Hugh Nichols, Abbey Brooke Roach Lopez, Brianna Michelle Batchellor, Jude Duncan Batchellor, and Riley Price Roach, and five great grandchildren including Amos Alan Nichols, Silas Robert Nichols, Oliver James Roach, and Louisa Mae Nichols.

Michael was greatly loved and is already missed more than his family knows how to express.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2023 at 3:00 P.M.

Dr George M Jones VFW Post 1309 557 N W Loop 230, Smithville, TX 78957

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the American Heart Association or to VFW Post 1309.