Michael Albersmeyer

Michael Jason Albersmeyer, aka "Jake", fulfilled his Angel flight on Thursday, March 24, 2022. Michael was 41 years old and lived in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He was born at Holloman Air Force Base, six miles southwest of Alamogordo, NM, on October 19, 1980, to Alva L. Albersmeyer and Dr. Michael M. Albersmeyer (Doc A). He lived in High Rolls Mountain Park, NM, as an infant and toddler, Clark Air Force Base, Philippines Islands, Blair, OK, and Laramie, Wyoming. He returned to Las Cruces in March 2020. He graduated from the Academy Del Sol in Alamogordo, NM, and studied Hospitality Services at Dona Ana Community College. Michael was known as "Jake" to friends and family. His father wanted to name him John Wayne. That would not happen. His name would be Jason. When he was born, his father nicknamed him "Big Jake", after a John Wayne movie. As a five-year-old kindergartner, he came home one day and said, "Mom and dad, call me Jake. There are too many Jason's in my class." As he grew older, and matured, he chose his given name, Michael/Mikey. Michael's passion was cooking and helping others. At 11 years of age, he won his first blue ribbon for his ‘Green Chile Stew', at the ‘Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang' chili cook-off in July 1992. His face always lit up when creating his culinary delights. When he was 19 years old, while visiting family in New York, he taught a young cousin how to make guacamole. That young man is now grown and a chef, much to Michael's delight. Michael was a generous and empathetic young man. During a short illness, he needed the use of a wheelchair temporarily. When he no longer needed it, he gave the wheelchair to a homeless man whose own chair had been broken. While in Laramie, Wy, he was the head chef at the Laramie Soup kitchen. The local newspaper wrote an article on Michael, not only about the wonderful meals he cooked daily, but also focused on his kindness and humanity for the homeless. When he arrived in Las Cruces, he immediately began volunteering at the El Caldito Soup Kitchen. He believed that a warm welcome and a kind word helped the people at the soup kitchen as much as the meal did. Michael enjoyed playing music while preparing his culinary delights. He enjoyed Jazz, Blues, Country, and Rock and Roll. While cooking, he danced rock and roll with his "Ma". His laughter and sense of humor were priceless. His favorite color was green. He often wore his favorite San Francisco 49ers cap and his FDNY sweatshirt with pride. He had a beloved Golden Retriever named Pax and his beloved cats, Zia and Disney. Michael loved his beloved family above all else and cherished each moment with them and his wonderfully loyal friends. Michael is survived by his mother, Alva L. Albersmeyer, father, Dr. Michael M. Albersmeyer, sister and brother-in-law, Teri Su and Gary Garske, stepmother, Maria L. Albersmeyer, grandmother, Ramona Morales Cartagena, aunt, Edna H. Graterole, cousins, Taia MacKinnon and Joshua Lenart, many extended family members and friends. A Celebration of Michael's life will be on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at 2:00 pm, at the Sonoma Springs Covenant Church, 3940 Sonoma Springs Avenue, Las Cruces, NM. (Take Lohman exit, heading to Mountainview Hospital. Turn left on Roadrunner, turn on Golf Club Road. Turn right on Sonoma Springs Ave to 3940) In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to El Caldito Soup Kitchen. Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman Ave. Las Cruces, NM 88001. Please visit www.getzcares.com to sign the local online guest book.