Michael Delamarian Jr. was born on February 25, 1928 in Dearborn, Michigan. He went home to be with His Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on January 26, 2014. Michael was surrounded by his loving wife Eleanor and their four children - Marleen, Michael, Steve and Ruthie, along with some of their grandchildren, other family members and friends as he took his last breath on this earth. Michael was preceded in death by his parentsMichael Sr. and Viola Delamarian, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Don and Anna (Nanie) Nicholas, his brother and sister-in-law Tom and Midge Bogden, and his only niece Leigh Anne Bogden. Michael is survived by his bride of 63 years Eleanor (Milin) Delamarian; his oldest daughter and son-in-law Marleen and Jim Adkins; his son and daughter-in-law Michael III and Joan Delamarian; his son and daughter-in-law Steve and Tracy Delamarian; his youngest daughter and son-in-law Ruthie and Scott Craig; his grandchildren Nikki (Derek) Gomez, James, Toby, and Lonnie Adkins, Adrienne (Josh) Payne, Amber and Michael Delamarian, Josh (Ali) Delamarian, Ashlee, Jordan and Mike Galaviz, Kaela (Darrel), Kacie, and Scotty Craig; his great-grandchildren Jenna and Jillian Gomez, Tobin, Leona and Cambria Payne; and the newest addition, who was born three days before Michael passed, Berklee Delamarian. His parents came from Romania and his second language was English. He was the younger of two boys in the Delamarian family. They attended the Romanian Baptist Church in Chicago where they were actively involved. But it wasn't until Christmas Eve 1946 at the former Camp Stoneman, in the Bay area, that Michael was born again'; he gave his life to the Lord and he experienced a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When Michael was honorably discharged from the Army he felt called by God to go into ministry and attended a four year bible college in South Carolina. He and Eleanor's families had known each other for years, they were engaged on their first date, and were married on June 24, 1950. Michael and Eleanor started their first ministry in Detroit, MI working for Youth for Christ. Michael has been a Pastor for over 63 years, starting in Chicago and surrounding suburbs to southern California; Michael's heart was starting churches. He was a forerunner and very creative in his approach to reaching people for Christ. Michael was written up in Time magazine's May 11th issue in 1962 for holding church services in storefronts in the city of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. The storefront church in Chicago that he was pasturing eventually relocated to the suburb of Mount Prospect, IL. They purchased property, built a church facility and continued to reach people for Christ. Time magazine wrote these words about Pastor Michael Delamarian: "But what people hear in his new church is the same strident Bible faith that he taught in the Chicago storefront. "I haven't changed the service," he says. "It's the same out here as in the city."Church services emphasize old-time hymns and sermons that pound home a basic Gospel message of Christ's saving grace. There is little or no liturgy. "We feel that all this rising and reading confuses the issue," says Pastor Delamarian. "Our message is simple: Have you been saved?" Then in 1966 Michael moved his family to Camarillo, CA to start a church with 12 people (6 of which were their family) and pastored the Camarillo Heights Baptist Church until 1970. They moved to Rancho Bernardo, CA built and pastored the Rancho Bernardo Baptist Church (now Lifebridge Church) for many years. For the last 28 years he has pastored in San Diego at Grace Baptist Church. He made the decision this last December to retire at the end of January. Michael told his family that January 26th, 2014 would be his "last Sunday" preaching. Just after the first of the year Michael's health declined rapidly. He was hospitalized and then moved to the Remington Assisted Living/Rehab Care Facility in Rancho Bernardo. On January 22nd Michael came to his home in Rancho Bernardo where he was tenderly cared for by his wife, children and grandchildren. Michael's "last day" on earth was Sunday January 26th and it was also his first day in heaven with his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. January 26th was supposed to be his last Sunday preaching, but the Lord retired him to heaven instead. His love for people, their spiritual condition and their ultimate eternal destiny was the driving passion in his life. Michael's heart was for people to know and experience the saving grace of Jesus Christ. He would share that simple gospel message by handing out tracts and especially bibles. Telling people about Christ and giving them literature about Christ was a prominent part of his life on this earth. He ALWAYS tried to talk to anyone and everyone about the Lord on a daily basis. He loved his family. He loved people. Above all, he loved the Lord and his saving Grace. One of Michael's favorite verses in the Bible was Ephesians 2: 8&9, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this not from yourselves, it is the gift of Godnot by works, so that no one can boast. We invite you to attend Michael's memorial service this Saturday, February 1st at 11:00am at Grace Baptist Church, 3844 Georgia St, San Diego, CA, 92103. A private graveside service will be held Monday February 3rd. In Lieu of flowers a contribution may be made out to Grace Baptist Church memo Pastor Mike Memorial Fund, 3844 Georgia St. San Diego, CA. 92103. Two of Michael's favorite quotes were, Only one life, will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last'; and What will you do with Jesus, neutral you cannot be, some day your heart will be asking, what will He do with me?'