Michael Arai

Michael Nobu Arai, age 65, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, passed away at home on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, surrounded by his family.  A memorial service will be at 2:00 pm on Monday, March 13, 2023, at the David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, with a time of gathering and hour prior.

Michael was born on March 12, 1957, to Nobutoshi and Amalie (Weckesser) Arai, in Fort Ord, California.  He grew up in Monterey, California and joined the United States Army after graduation, where he served honorably for four years.  After the service, he returned home to care for his ailing father.  Michel then hitchhiked across the country before coming to Las Vegas, where he met Karen Gorden and the two were married in 1984, and to the union two children were born.  Michael and family returned to California where he worked in construction at the Naval School.  As a man of many talents, he also worked laying concrete as well as an auto mechanic.  In 1991, he moved the family to the Lakes area to be closer to his sister.  For the last five years he cooked at Tj's Booze and Bistro on Lake Eunice. 

Michael was always busy and enjoyed restoring old cars. He also liked tinkering on his house and in his yard, which was always pristine.  His other past times were sports betting, going to the casinos, playing blackjack, vintage stereo equipment, and most of all playing billiards, which he was very skilled at having won multiple events, including the Tri-State Invitational.

He is survived by his two children: Johnny Arai of Detroit Lakes, MN and Sheri Arai of Moorhead, MN; a sister, June Walden of Detroit Lakes, MN; two brothers, John Arai of Pelican Rapids, MN and Rick Arai of Monterey, CA; and a nephew, Jerry Walden of Detroit Lakes, MN.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Nobu and Amalie; and a great-aunt and great-uncle, John and Gertrude Wrigley.