James Michael “Mike” Chouinard

James Michael Chouinard (Mike), 81, of Amarillo Texas, passed away on Thursday, January 30th, 2025. He was the son of the late Bernard and Margaret (Lee) Chouinard. He was born January 5th, 1944 in Los Angeles, California. 

He attended San Jose State University where he studied chemistry and assisted the police department with forensics. 

He went to Officers Candidate School shortly after college and rose to the rank of Navy Lieutenant during the Vietnam War. After the war, he was honorably discharged from the navy and made a living as an educator teaching high school chemistry and the sciences. He was a missionary for a short time with American Missionary Fellowship in Nebraska and Northern Maine, and then went on to the Dallas Theological Seminary to train as a pastor. He served as a pastor in Idaho and in California, and eventually went back into teaching for public schools. 

Mike retired and lived in New Mexico and Texas where he continued to consult with the U.S. Navy, taught Bible Studies and wrote short stories, true and fiction under the pseudonym of Clifton Lee.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Annette Pesavento. 

He is survived by his wife, Anita Chouinard, and children Ben Chouinard, Beth Chouinard Mitchell, Joel Chouinard, Karen Lowe, Elex Koopman and family;

His sister Lisa Phelps of New York, assorted nieces and nephews and grandchildren.

His celebration of life memorial will be at 1:00 P.M.,  Monday, February 10th, 2025, at Westview Christian Church, 6810 Hillside Drive in Amarillo, Texas 79109. 

Special thanks to the people at Westview Christian Church who have been a tremendous help and support.