Michael Argumedo

March 4, 1964 – March 29, 2025

Kyiv, Ukraine

Argumedo, Michael Joseph (pen name Mickey Ceaser), 61, writer, poet, musician, sailor, solider, and English professor/teacher, passed away on March 29, 2025, in Kyiv, Ukraine. He was born on March 4, 1964, to Bobby Joe and Marilyn Joan Argumedo in Plattsburgh, NY.

Mike was preceded in death by his father Bobby J. Argumedo, Lt Col, USAF (retired) and Bobby's wife Jean Argumedo. He is survived by his mother Marilyn Joan Diers (Robert) of Bellevue, NE, sister Dana McMurchy (Patrick) of Tulsa, OK, sister Marta Argumedo-Priore (Stephen) of Helotes, TX, nephew Conor McMurchy of Tulsa, OK, niece Kenna Priore of Liberty Hill, TX and female feline Bazoomka Kitty of Kyiv, Ukraine.

Mike was a resilient Air Force ‘brat,’ growing up in five different cities: Plattsburgh, NY, Beavercreek, OH, Satellite Beach, FL, Austin, TX and Bellevue, NE. He easily made friends in each new neighborhood and school. In Bellevue he attended Wake Robin Elementary, Logan Fontenelle Junior High and Bellevue West High School where he played oboe with the marching band. After High School Mike lived in Wichita, KS for a while before settling in Lawrence, KS and working at a TV repair shop while studying at the University of Kansas (KU).

In December 1989 Mike enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served until December 1995 as a Petty Officer Second Class – Operations Specialist 2 on the USS Scott DDG-995 which operated out of Norfolk, VA. In his first deployment he traveled to the Red Sea, though the straights of Gibraltar, the Suez Canal, and to Hurghada, Egypt. He earned the Good Conduct Award, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (x2), Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Navy ‘E’ Ribbon. After his enlistment concluded he returned to Lawrence. By 2002 he was performing on the guitar with his band The Drain Babies and studying again at KU. Mike joined the U.S. Army Reserve serving with the 317 Quartermaster Battalion and deployed in October 2004 to Camp Udairi, Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. He achieved the rank of Staff Sargent and completed his service in January 2006.

Mike wrote under the pen name ‘Mickey Cesar’ throughout his adult life, and his poetry has been described as dealing with ‘Saturday nights alone, Sunday morning cafes full of cigarette smoke’ and loss. His poems were published in Grub Street, Artwhore, kiosk, Coal City Review, as well as appearing in the Lawrence Journal-World and University Daily Kansan. Mickey published two full-length poetry collections: Vanishing Point (219Press, 2005) and If I Were on Fire (Spartan Press, 2011). During this time, he earned an undergraduate degree and then worked for two years as a Professor in the KU English Department teaching English composition, critical reading, and poetry writing. He earned his Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from KU in May 2011.

In November 2011 Mike moved to Kyiv, Ukraine, and taught English as a Second Language (ESL) at Magento, Yappi Corporate, Green Forest, DEC Education and STUDY Academy. Mike developed a great love for Ukraine and its people over the years. A week after Russian invaded Ukraine in February 2022 Mike reluctantly fled Kyiv and after a harrowing 72-hour trip he arrived in safely Berlin, Germany. He settled in Bellevue in August 2022. Mike enjoyed working as an ESL Teacher in the International Program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In December 2023 he returned to his beloved Kyiv, the Study Academy, and his many friends.

Mike will be remembered as a Man of Letters, world traveler, and keen observer. His humor, kindness, and creativeness were greatly admired. His family, friends and co-workers will never forget him.

Burial service will be held Monday, April 14, 2025 at 1:00 pm, at Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7909 Mormon Bridge Road, Omaha, NE 68152.