Michael Byron DeMott
November 8, 1945-April 16, 1996
Born in Beverly Hills, Mike DeMott took his first and only skating test as a professional at the age of twenty-six. Though he had no amateur career to speak of, he enjoyed touring with the Ice Capades and serving as the Ice Follies' lighting director. He passed away on April 16, 1996 at the age of fifty.
Mike's obituary from "The Santa Fe New Mexican": "Mike DeMott, 50, of Santa Fe passed away at home April 16, 1996. Mike was born in Beverly Hills, CA. He had a long and varied professional career that included teaching, cooking and computer sales. He skated with the Ice Capades, served as lighting director for Ice Follies and worked as a script reader at Lorimar Studio. In Seattle he directed many successful plays and musicals and co-published 'The Old Seattle Review, a historical newspaper. He moved to Santa Fe in 1993. Upon his diagnosis with AIDS he turned all his considerable energies and talents toward helping others through education and testing of new drugs. He felt strongly about finding the positive in his illness and became an active participant in the Santa Fe Speakers' Bureau, speaking to church and school groups about the prevention of the spread of AIDS. As one of the original 'Polio Pioneers' who tested the experimental Salk polio vaccine in the 1950's, he offered himself as a test subject for new AIDS drugs. He was a long-time member of the Client Services Committee of the AIDS Wellness Clinic. He is survived by Duane Dahl, his partner of 24 [years], his mother, Barbara DeMott, both of Santa Fe; his brother, John DeMott and his wife Sherry of Brighton Beach, FL; nephews: Randy and Chris DeMott and his wife Toni and great-nieces, Ashley and Staci; his aunt, Grace Case and cousins Mike and Reilly of San Diego and Huntington Beach, CA; his niece, Sheila Thompson and her family of Waterford, CA; and many dear and loyal friends. The family wishes to express thanks to all of those in the AIDS service community who gave Mike such thorough, loving and respectful care throughout his illness. The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Southwest Care Clinic of Santa Fe."
*Source for inclusion: Obituaries, The Santa Fe New Mexican, April 21, 1996
