Michael Costa

Michael Dean Costa, born on January 17, 1958, in Quantico, VA, passed from this Earth on November 29, 2025. He was the beloved son of Nancy Smith and the best Dad to Jerod Michael Costa.

Michael spent time in Texas, Hawaii, Virginia and Twenty-Nine Palms but his true home was always Grants Pass. He met Sherry Catlett at the Riverside Inn in 1979. Their son, Jerod, was born in 1981 in Grants Pass. Shortly after the birth, they moved to Texas where Michael would spend the next decade but Grants Pass called him back in 1992. He would spend the rest of his life there.

Michael always had a gift for home repair and started his own maintenance company during his time in Texas. He stayed handy his entire life and always jumped at any opportunity to teach others. After returning to Oregon, he worked at MasterBrand Cabinets for 14 years and was able to retire in 2020. Never one to relax, he found his true calling later in life when he began working with animals at Rogue Valley Humane Society. Michael had a lifelong love for cats and was able to spend his final years immersed in a world of meows and purrs. He was never happier, a Cat Dad until the end.

Michael was an honest and dedicated man. He was strong willed yet the kindness showed through when you watched him feed and care for the feral cats in his neighborhood. During a recent hospital stay, his main goal was to get home to feed his cats. The love he had for the small creatures of the Earth had no bounds.

Michael is survived by his loving mother Nancy, stepfather Buzz, son Jerod and daughter in law Kate. He also leaves behind his aunts, Ninna, Nicki and Norma as well as many cousins who adored him deeply. He was predeceased by his sister Athena. May they now be reunited.

A celebration of life is planned for January 17th in Grants Pass. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Rogue Valley Humane Society or your local animal caregiver association.

Always a dedicated audiophile, Michael now shares a date of passing with George Harrison of the Beatles, his favorite group. He would appreciate that.

"What I feel, I can't say.

But my love is there for you any time of day."

-George Harrison