Michael R. Tatham

Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Michael R. TATHAM Chief Petty Officer Michael Rex Tatham died on October 12 as the result of a tragic motorcycle accident in Bali, Indonesia. Michael was on R&R in Bali from deployment in Afghanistan. 

Michael was born Dec 12, 1977 at Fort Bragg, N.C., graduated from Curtis High School in University Place, WA in 1996 and went on to earn a Bachelors Degree in 2001 at the University of San Diego, California. While attending USD, Michael was active in the rowing team and was instrumental in winning the men's 4 man national contest for the University. In August 2002, Michael joined the United States Navy and in April 2004 graduated from the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL program and went on to advanced SEAL qualification training. 

He was assigned to a West Coast- based SEAL team in 2005 and became a seasoned combat veteran, whose professionalism and dedication to his unit, his teammates and his country served as an inspiration to all who knew him. 

Michael's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with combat "V", Joint Service Achievement Medal, four Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medals including one with "V", two Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, three Service Deployment Ribbons and the NATO Service Medal, along with expert rifle and pistol ribbons. 

Visitation for Michael is scheduled on Oct. 26 and Oct. 27 from 3:00PM - 8:00PM at the Mountain View Funeral Home, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd, Tacoma, WA. Visitation is open to the public. On Friday, Oct. 28th a memorial service will be held at 3:00PM at the University Place Presbyterian Church at 8101 27th Street West, University Place, WA. On Wednesday at noon, Nov. 2, Michael will be interred with full military honors at the Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, CA. 

Michael is survived by his mother, Diane F Tatham of University Place, WA, his father, Stephen R Tatham, his step-mother, Marilyn R Glenn, and a younger brother, Matthew T. Tatham. The family asks that donations be made in Michael's name to the Navy Seal Foundation http://nswfoundation.org/ or to the Families Unlimited Network Food Bank www.familiesunlimitednetwork.org. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home. Please sign the online guestbook at www.mountainviewtacoma.com.