In Loving Memory of Michael E. Nathanson

November 19, 1953 - December 31, 2025

Michael E. Nathanson, passed away at his home in Highland Village, TX on December 31, 2025, with his wife, Jan by his side. Michael left behind a legacy of adventure, creativity, hard work, and unwavering faith.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, E.M. Nathanson and Marianne Duest, in Manhattan, New York. At the age of 2, Michael’s parents moved west to California. Starting in the Hollywood Hills and ultimately settling at the shores of Laguna Beach. It was there that he spent his formative years, almost daily at the beach. In high school, Michael’s loves were football, track, music (Michael played the keyboards) and the ocean. Michael loved saying that the daily question was NOT “Are we going to the beach?” but “What time are we meeting at the beach?” He studied music at Chapman College in Orange County and continued his studies at Saddleback College, receiving his associates degree.

His ultimate love was scuba diving at which he excelled. He became a NAUI certified instructor and in 1974 received the “Outstanding Watermanship Award” from the County of Los Angeles's Department of Parks & Recreation Underwater Unit. One of his proudest accomplishments was teaching paraplegic and disabled Vietnam vets how to scuba dive. For years he dove up and down the coastline of Mexico and California. Michael was most proud to have dived in the Greek Islands off the island of Patmos, and in 2023 his final dive was in the Red Sea. It was a joke (somewhat) that Michael had salt water in his veins.

Through Michael’s first marriage, he was blessed with his two daughters Jessica and Tiffany, whom he loved dearly. Jessica currently lives in San Juan Capistrano, CA and Tiffany lives in Los Angeles and is married to Miguel Medina.

Michael worked at Black Bart’s Dive Shop in Dana Point, CA as a dive instructor. His corporate career began at American Zettler in Irvine, CA, where he worked his way up in the company to become a sales leader in their healthcare division. Moving to Tennessee, he worked at Keller, Inc., also leading in sales and marketing. And it would be a new job with The Brinkmann Corporation in Addison, that moved him to Texas. There, he was VP of Sales & Marketing.

Although Jan founded Imagination Specialties in 1989 with Michael’s vital encouragement, it was his eventual move to the company, renamed Imagination Branding, that expanded their reach. As CEO, Michael grew the business by opening direct import channels from China.

Michael and Jan were a formidable team in both life and business. Together, they founded and operated Imagination for 28 years. They always considered their employees as family. Their partnership was a testament to their mutual respect and shared vision, culminating in the successful sale of their business and a well-earned retirement.

After Michael retired from Imagination, his creative spirit found a new medium: writing. He realized a lifelong dream by becoming a published, and award winning author, writing the geopolitical thriller “Cries of the Eagle,” and the 2nd installment, “Curse of the Eagle.” Michael was proud to share his writing with his father, receiving creative input and edits as well.

Michael drove across the country to Tennessee in the Spring of 1988, and married the love of his life, Jan on October 27, 1988. They were truly each other’s best friend. After living a few years in Tennessee, they moved to Highland Village, TX, where they built a home and a thriving life. Michael was a proud and loving father to his daughters, Jessica and Tiffany, and now he became a stepdad to Jan’s son, Jason. Jason Byrum is now married to Kendra and they have a daughter named Holland, Michael's one and only granddaughter, whom he adored. Jason and his family reside in Dallas, TX.

Among their many passions, Michael and Jan loved adventure, and travel, having been blessed to visit Israel, much of Europe and in 2023, their last trip was to Egypt. Michael loved riding motorcycles, having spent many years road tripping and riding in the countryside. Later in life, he and Jan replaced motorcycles with bicycles and rode all over Highland Village.

While in Tennessee, at age 35, Michael understood what it was to be a “sinner.” He understood the simplicity that only perfection, only holiness could ever be in the presence of God. And though Michael was a “good” man, he realized at that moment that he was not “good enough” and prayed the simple prayer to become a child of God. One of his favorite verses was 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” Once he gave his life to Jesus, he knew he was a new creation. The move to Texas would prove to be the defining decision that would set the course of their lives together.

Above all his professional and personal achievements, Michael’s life was anchored by his profound love for his family and his steadfast faith in God. God used each of them in the other’s life. Jan first introduced Michael to God; later, Michael’s commitment to his men’s Bible study helped spur Jan’s own spiritual growth. At Denton Bible Church, together they served as pre-marital counselors for 9 years, 2 years in reconciliation and then they served 6 years in the marriage ministry, re|engage. After both had been married previously, a Christ-centered marriage became their passion. Michael and Jan also led the Baptism Team at Denton Bible, attended and led numerous other Bible studies and just this past May, they both graduated from DBC's 2-year Bible course, BTCP (Bible Training Center for Pastors) and BTCL (Bible Training Center for Leaders). They had specifically waited until both were retired in order to take this course together.

His children admired his wisdom, his carefully spoken words, and his love of a good cheesy dad-joke, worthy of a gum wrapper.

Michael lived with a passion that was evident to everyone he met, leaving an indelible mark on his community and the hearts of those who knew and loved him. He never had to tell anybody he loved his wife; people saw it from him every day. He was a man who truly walked the talk.

His passion shone through in his love for life, his family, and most importantly, his faith.

Memorial Service:  Date: January 23, 2026  Visitation: 12:45 - 1:45pm   Service Time: 2:00pm   Location: Chapel at Denton Bible Church  2300 E. University Dr., Denton, TX

Reception following immediately afterwards for all in attendance.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the following:

Samaritan's Purse

Behold Israel

Denton Bible Missions