Tributes

Michael (Mike) Andrew Sabol Patriot - Veteran - Landscape Contractor March 13, 1945 - November 21, 2025 Michael (Mike) Andrew Sabol was born in Glendale, California March 13th, 1945 the son of Andrew and Helen Louise Sabol. Sabol was a California native son and Joshua Tree, California, resident since 1970. He showed great strength throughout a long battle with kidney-related illness and, after recent complications, passed away peacefully and prayerfully with family beside him on November 21, 2025 in Palm Springs, California. Family and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Michael Sabol at a Rosary held December 22, 2025 at 10:30 A.M. Mass to be held at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 7495 Church St, Yucca Valley, CA. A committal service will be held at Riverside National Cemetery on December 23, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive thirty minutes early. Michael Sabol has requested your prayers for his eternal memory and blessed repose of his soul. In lieu of flowers your contributions can be made for the Veteran's Relief Fund at the VFW Post No. 7264, 6402 Veteran's Way, Joshua Tree, CA 92252, Ph. 760-366-2717. God Bless America. He attended Cathedral High School, Los Angeles, CA and graduated from Glendale High School, Glendale, California and later attended Los Angeles Pierce College, Woodland Hills, California and the College of the Desert, Palm Desert, California. Early in Sabol's life he worked as a gardener's helper, and then started his own landscape gardening service while in high school, later establishing his award-winning landscaping business Michael Andrew Sabol Landscape Contractor here in 1970; his landscaping services extended to the Greater Palms Springs & Morongo Basin areas. Sabol studied at Pierce College - Horticulture and Landscaping Design and Contracting and interned with Young & Michaels Associates (Landscape Designers & Contractors), Woodland Hills, CA. Sabol then served his Church with the Order of Friars Minor and later with the Monks of New Skete, Cambridge, NY as a novice monk and was the grounds keeper. Sabol then served his Country in the U S Army as a Medic in Korea during the Second Korean "DMZ" War. The Korean Government bestowed the set of "MA PAE MEDALS" on Sabol for his outstanding Medical Service to the Korean military and civilians. He also was awarded by the US Army: the Good Conduct, American Defense, Army Expeditionary and Korean Defense Medals. Upon returning to the states, he started his landscape business on a part-time basis, while he had a full-time position at Desert Hospital, Palm Springs, California as a Pharmacy Technician & LVN (I.V. Nurse).1970-81 Sabol attended College of the Desert on the G.I. Bill and he studied Business and Nursing Sciences. Mike Sabol also served in the U.S. Army Reserve with the Civil Affairs Group, Upland, California 1971 -72 and later he joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve 1976-81 as a Medical Technician at Norton AFB. Sabol retired from Desert Hospital 1981 and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force 1981 attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He then expanded his Landscaping Contracting business to full time 1981 and earned his California State Landscaping Contractor's License. While serving in Korea, he married the love of his life, his wife Cho Mary. Sabol's son Andrew Michael was born in 1970 in Suwon, Korea. Sabol's daughter Helen Lee was born in Palm Springs, California, in 1974, and both children Andrew & Helen were Valedictorians of Yucca Valley High School, Yucca Valley, California 1988 & 1992 and both graduated with Honors from major universities - Cal Poly Pomona & USC. In 2020, Sabol welcomed Maria Lowrance as a second daughter, a child of his wife's lost during the Korean conflict. Sabol enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, family, close friends, and especially his grandchildren. He fondly remembers the many parties and celebrations at his beautifully landscaped home, along with the many trips to the mountains and the beaches over the years. The "American Dream" had come true for the Sabol Family. Michael (Mike) Sabol is survived by: his wife Cho Mary Sabol of Joshua Tree, California; his sister: Mrs. Sandre Ann Wallin of Victorville, California; his brothers: Stephen Sabol of Cathedral City, California and Dr. John Cromer, M.D. of Wilmington, North Carolina; his children: Andrew Michael and Jovie Sabol of La Quinta, California, Helen Lee and Patricia Ortega of Wildomar, California, and Maria and Richard Lowrance of Norman, Oklahoma; four grandchildren: Yesenia Sabol, Andrew Sabol, Johanna Marx, and Isabelle Marx; and Sister in Law: Sunae Pennington of North Willsboro, North Carolina; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephew and his spiritual brothers at the Monks of New Skete in Cambridge, New York. Mike Sabol was active in the many organizations: he was a former Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and Lector at St Christopher's of the Desert Catholic (Church) Chapel, a certified CCD teacher 25 years, graduated Bishop Starling's Lay Leadership Institute of Ministries, Sabol was a Member: Third Degree Knight of Columbus (Charter Member Yucca Valley Council). California Landscape Contractor's Association, U.S. Air Force Sergeant's Association. Life Member: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States of America (holding many offices over the years), Korean War Veterans Association and the Disabled American Veterans (100/4 VA disabled), Member: American Legion since 1970. Sabol was an active Veteran's Advocate working one on one with many Veterans helping them acquire their well deserved V A Benefits at no charge; he also was a supporter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Wounded Warrior Project. Michael Sabol was an active sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous continuously since 1975 where he shared his experience, strength, and hope with others in recovery and working with others to recover in program, for free and Fun. Michael (Mike) Sabol was always grateful to his Father God for having been created and being reared a Catholic Christian and an American born in the greatest country in the World- the U.S.of A. Sabol was honored and proud to have served his God as a Novice Monk and his Country and the Republic of Korea in the US Army, Sabol was also happy to have served the clinical pharmaceutical needs of many hospitalized patients at Desert Regional Hospital. Palm Springs, California over the ten years he worked there and the Greater Palm Springs and Morongo Basin's Landscaping needs since 1970. He enjoyed being Mother Nature's helper leaving his special landscaping signature on our Desert's Landscapes here for many years to come.