"Dear Gloria. We send you and your family our deepest sympathy. We are so lucky to have known Mike, because he was an outstanding individual with so many wonderful qualities. His paintings were a reflection of the talented person he was. May God be with you in the days ahead. Marilyn and Jim"
In loving memory of
Magnus 'Mike' Hjalmarson
August 8, 2016
MAGNUS (MIKE) HJALMARSON was born on February 24, 1940 in Phoenix, Arizona to a mother who was a teacher and a father who was a lieutenant colonel in the army. He passed away on August 8, 2016 in Houston. He was the third of six boys. He had one sister, Margret, who is deceased.
Mike regularly attended Episcopal Sunday school and sang in the boys' choir. He became a Christian early in life. This foundation led him to a belief that life should be led according to the scriptures. He was a long time member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Houston.
Life as a child and teenager was fun and interesting for Mike. To escape the desert heat most summers were spent at the family's summer house on Mingus Mountain near Prescott, Arizona. The boys explored the forest and gathered wood for the fireplace and kitchen stove where they cooked their meals. There were seven houses on the mountain, all that were allowed. On the weekends the dads would arrive to spend time with their families and the comradery would begin. The boys would take turns winding the Victrola for the dancing on the porch.
When the family was in Phoenix the boys worked and earned money which they used for various things including restoring a Model A convertible coupe. They painted it in school colors and drove it around the track at football games backfiring all the way with cheerleaders in tow.
Upon graduating from high school in Phoenix Mike served honorably in the U.S. Navy, part of the time on Kwajelein Island which he described as a tropical paradise.
He served nine years as a peace office in Arizona. He finished his undergraduate education at Phoenix College and Northern Arizona University. Mike then worked for Aetna Casualty & Surety Co., and Cravens, Dargan Special Risks Insurance Company. During this time he completed law school at South Texas College of Law in Houston. He entered private law practice which he continued for forty years until his death.
Mike spent his legal professional life as an advocate for the powerless and ordinary person. He believed that especially in the courtroom all should be equal. He felt that the best part of law practice was the chance to represent and know nice people from so many backgrounds. He kept a small stand in his office with forty two flags representing the various countries of the clients he had served.
Mike served his law school by helping with moot court and served as a district moot court judge. He was a member of the Texas Bar Association and served on and chaired the Qualifications and Testing Committees of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He was a board certified personal injury trial lawyer and a member of the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists.
Mike had other interests. In later life Mike developed a passion for oil painting after his wife gave him a small paint set for Christmas. He had one man shows at various galleries. He sold many paintings. However, he mainly enjoyed giving paintings to family and friends. He was an avid sports fan and served as an official in the Western Athletic and Southwest Conferences in a variety of sports. Mike had membership in many Masonic Orders.
He is survived by his helpmate, true love and wife of many years, Gloria Matejowsky-Hjalmarson. They participated in many fun activities including dance clubs (El Baile, Thalia and River Oaks), bridge clubs, travel destinations, symphonies, etc.
Mike had two children born to his first wife, Denise (deceased): son Magnus, Jr. - deceased, (wife Theresa) and daughter Rene - deceased (husband Eremon - deceased). Mike is survived by two grandchildren, Brian and wife Chelsea, and Michelle and husband Joshua, five great granddaughters and five brothers and their wives, Hjalmar and Patricia, Halldor and Gail, Bjorn and Patsy, John Ingvar and Mary Ann, and Lawrence Gunnar and Virginia. He is also survived by numerous other family members. This large, close and diverse family was always a blessing to Magnus, especially his children with whom he had a special loving relationship. The regular family reunions held in different locations across the United States helped to bind this family together.
Mike's clever and witty personality combined with his optimistic love of life and trust in God made him a joy to be around.
The memorial service will take place at 11 am, Thursday, August 18 at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77027. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.
Tributes
"Dear Gloria: I am saddened to hear about Mike's passing. He was a charming man with a great sense of humor. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I think that this is an appropriate verse for you to remember: Psalm 91:2 "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him I will trust.""
"Dear Gloria, Although we haven't met, I feel like I've known you for years. We often discussed our families and it was evident that Mike loved you very much. As God would have it, I was thinking about Mike on the very day he passed and just didn't pick up the phone. I thought of him all week and finally called his office on Friday and learned about his passing. God works in mysterious ways. I don't know exactly when Mike and I met but our friendship was immediate. I can't tell you how many times I either walked or rode my bike that 3 blocks to Mike's house. Mike and his folks always made me feel welcome and the two of us spent hours together in our younger years. My special friendship with Mike and the memories we made together have been a topic of conversation at our family get-to-gathers My wife Karen and I have 3 sons and I know when I tell them that my special friend Mike has gone to be with the Lord, they will know exactly who I am talking about. I look forward to renewing our friendship when God calls me home."
"Good by, old friend. I will think of you each time I look on the wall of my office at the beautiful painting you sent me. You were a great workmate. We spent many lunch breaks walking thru Cullum & Boren Sporting Goods in downtown Dallas, viewing the firearms we wished we owned. The world is a better place because of your visit."
"My sincere condolences to Halldor and wife Gail on the passing of Halldor's brother, Magnus."
"Dear Gloria, My wife Karen and I were so sorry to hear about the passing of Mike. Although we've never met, I feel like I know you as a result of the conversations I've had with Mike over the years. You were so precious to him. As you know Mike and I have been friends for years but I can't remember exactly when or where we met but I know our friendship was instant. I've often shared stories of my youth with our 3 sons and my relationship with Mike has been the highlight. I know when I tell them about Mike's passing they will know exactly who I'm talking about. God truly works in mysterious ways. I thought about my friend Mike last Monday the 8th of August and was going to call him, but I didn't call until Friday when I found out the news. I'll always remember Mike for being a kind and gentle. boy and man and he brightened my life whether I was with him or talking with him on the phone. I know Mike is happy now being with his son and daughter and I look forward to seeing him again. God bless you and your family always!"
"I am thankful to have had you as a big brother. Thank you for always being so kind to me and my family, showing interest in all of us. I know you are having a great reunion with your children and with Margret and mom and dad."