Mikel David Cribbs of Hermiston died on April 10, 2025 at the age of 44.
He was born on March 17, 1981 in Emmett, Idaho to Paula Burton and David Cribbs.
In 1990, Paula married Russell Greene Sr., who helped raise Mikel in Hermiston. He grew up surrounded by a large and loving family with many siblings: Mo, Kara, Russell, Kenny, Kyle, Elisha, Nichole, Jessica, Whitney, Robn, Shannon, Sara, and Skyler.
Mikel played nearly every sport growing up and especially excelled in wrestling and football. After a knee injury ended his football career, he proudly joined the cheerleading squad – never one to miss a chance to stay involved and lift others up. At one point, he even carried a 4.0 GPA – thanks less to studying, and more to his charm and the many girls who helped with his homework! Mikel graduated from Hermiston High School in 2000.
At the age of 15, Mikel began working on a llama farm for Shelly Knerr, later joining Knerr Construction. He went on to spend many years with Westfall Septic, working alongside Mike and Deannie Simon. In 2004, Mikel married Jesse and became a father to his beloved son, David Eugene Cribbs, whom he cherished deeply.
Later in life, Mikel married Rachel in 2017 and settled in Stevenson, Wash. where he gained a daughter, Rikki Lynn, whom he loved as his own. He also shared his home and heart with two nieces, Alissa and Melonie, that he also loved with all his heart.
He worked as a maintenance supervisor for SilverStar Industries and was especially proud to have helped build the Tesla model cars for the Mall of
America. Most recently, he started a new position at the Amazon data center. We were all very proud of him for this.
Mikel would do anything for anyone – family, friend, or stranger – even if it meant going without. He always showed up with a big, contagious smile and a genuine desire to help others. From a young age, he was a natural builder and fixer. Known for his creative and often hilarious “redneck contraptions” that somehow always worked, he could MacGyver up just about anything.
They truly broke the mold when they made Mikel! One of a kind. He was deeply loved and will be missed more than words can ever express.
He is survived by his parents; all his siblings; his favorite aunt, Jacque; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many, many friends.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel, 685 W. Hermiston Ave.
