Michael George Westmore Jr.

Michael G. Westmore, Jr. (Ticker), born October 23, 1966, passed unexpectedly on August 22, 2026. Though his time with us was far too brief, he will forever be remembered and live on in the hearts of the many people he touched.

Michael was born to Michael G. Westmore, Sr. and Marion C. Westmore and was brought up in Studio City, California. He is survived by his parents; his two sisters, Michele Westmore Meeks and her husband, Martin, and McKenzie Westmore Tatopoulos and her husband, Patrick; and his nephew, Maddox Westmore Volpone.

Michael’s biggest love was for animals and their safety and security. He also loved taking things apart to see how they tick (hence his nickname), and somehow, he always found a way to make them better. He enjoyed everything from tinkering at his parents’ house to teaching Michele how to take her car engine apart and put it back together, to teasing McKenzie by putting her Cabbage Patch doll in the microwave only to then pull out a pound of ground beef as if he cooked it, to setting off smoke bombs at school. His love of music was larger than life—even though many may not know that – from rock n roll to techno.

Michael was magnetic. He made friends easily and formed bonds that lasted a lifetime—friendships that spanned every chapter of his life, from grade school to high school to adulthood, business relationships, and new friendships along the way. He treasured the love and support of his friends throughout the years and returned it wholeheartedly.

Michael was a presence. His smile filled a room. He always had a joke, would cheer you up, make you laugh—whatever you needed.

Michael believed there was no such thing as having too many tools or pieces of machinery. His philosophy was simple: it was always better to have something and not need it than to need it and not have it. That was one of the many reasons we all turned to Michael whenever something needed fixing, building, figuring out—or simply making better. And somehow, Michael always found a way to make things better—not just the things he worked on, but our lives simply by being in them.

Someone described Michael best as “Extraordinarily, uniquely FULLY himself—and 100% happy to be EXACTLY that. Michael never looked at other people with any sort of envy because of who they were in the world. He was exactly who he wanted to be.” Others described him as majestic, caring, brilliant, funny, humble, a genius, intelligent, ingenious, determined, devoted, helpful, altruistic, a sweetheart, a Renaissance man, mischievous—but most of all, the BEST son and brother in the world. THAT is what made us all love Michael so much.

For you, we will forever have Del Taco on August 22 in your honor and relish our memories and the time we had with you on this earth rather than wallow in the sorrow of losing you.

Rest in peace, our dear son, brother, uncle, friend, Michael. Until we all meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand, as we will forever hold you close to our hearts.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15)