By Courtney Delzompo, ASU Foundation
March 6, 2007

ASU Foundation President Johnnie Ray addresses the crowd attending Micheal Boulden's memorial service on March 5 at the ASU Fulton Center. More than 200 people were present to remember and honor Boulden as a friend, colleague and a "tour de force," as Ray noted in his speech.

Channel 3's coverage of Boulden

Arizona State University and ASU Foundation employees gathered to celebrate the life of their colleague, Micheal Boulden, at a memorial in Sun Devil Canyon by the ASU Fulton Center on March 5. Members of Boulden’s family were also present, having flown in to Phoenix over the weekend after laying him to rest outside Chicago on March 1.

Several individuals who worked closely with Boulden at the foundation, including ASU Foundation President Johnnie Ray, spoke during the half-hour memorial that was more about celebrating Boulden’s life than mourning his loss.

Jim O’Brien, chief of staff in the ASU Office of the President and a close friend of Boulden’s, described him as a "great man" and a "man of action." "Micheal was a man that you could turn to for advice," said O’Brien. "And his advice was always to take action."

Melanie Boulden and 3-year-old Maya, center, are among family members who join ASU and ASU Foundation employees for a celebration-of -life event for Micheal Boulden, chief of staff for the foundation, on March 5. Boulden was the victim of a hit-and-run accident while riding his bicycle on Pinnacle Peak Parkway on Feb.18.

ASU President Michael Crow echoed O’Brien’s sentiments. "I heard that Micheal’s dream was to become a university president," said Crow. "He fulfilled that dream because a university presidency is not one person, but a small group of people working together to move the university forward. Micheal was one of those people at ASU and he was there every day making it happen."

Tammalynn Phillips, Boulden’s sister, spoke on behalf of the family. "When I spoke at Micheal’s funeral, I told everyone that it was a no-tear day," said Philips. "No tears because Micheal did what he wanted to do in life. We should recognize him, appreciate him and move forward." Philips also thanked the crowd of more than 200 for their compassion toward the family in this difficult time.

Kid Merv, one of Micheal Boulden's favorite jazz musicians, plays "Amazing Grace" on his trumpet to conclude the memorial service. Merv continued to play jazz selections for the crowd while they enjoyed a barbecue lunch provided by Darryl King of Rite Way Catering. King was a friend of Boulden.

The program closed with a prayer by Kevin Cook, dean of student affairs at the ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus, and a beautiful trumpet rendition of "Amazing Grace" by Kid Merv. Merv, a jazz artist from New Orleans, was one of Boulden’s favorite performers and continued to entertain guests throughout lunch with jazz favorites. Darryl King, owner of Rite Way Catering, provided a delicious lunch of barbecue chicken and pork sandwiches and cucumber salad. Boulden loved barbecue.

The event marked the end of an emotional journey for loved ones and colleagues after first learning of Boulden’s untimely death in a hit-and-run accident on Feb. 18. He was riding his bicycle along Pinnacle Peak Parkway during the early-morning hours. The Phoenix Police Department arrested the suspected driver of the vehicle that struck Boulden on March 2.