1941 - 2026
Michael Ervin Balenti was born on April 19, 1941, in Calumet, Oklahoma, to Ervin E Balenti and Francis (Penwright) Balenti. Mike was a member of the Cheyenne Tribe and an Eagle Scout. He attended school in Alva, Oklahoma, graduating from Alva High School 1959. Mike passed away on October 28, 2026, in Enid, OK. Mike continued his education at the University of Oklahoma and Northwestern Oklahoma State University before pursuing graduate studies at Texas Tech University, where he earned a master’s degree in education.
Known to his students and athletes as “Coach B” or “Mr. B,” Mike devoted 35 years to classroom teaching at Alva High School and Northwest Oklahoma and adjunct at NWOSU Vocational Technical School. He also coached football, tennis, softball, and cheerleading. Throughout his career, he touched on the lives of thousands of young people, inspiring many to follow in his footsteps as educators and coaches. Several of his biology and human physiology students went on to become medical nurses and doctors.
After retiring from teaching, Mike began a second career in law enforcement. He served the people of Alva and Woods County as a patrol officer and deputy for the Alva Police Department and Woods County Sheriff’s Office. He was one of the oldest cadets to attend the Oklahoma POST academy at the time of his graduation.
Mike enjoyed a very active life. Outside of school and coaching, he worked every year in the harvest fields for many different farmers in NW Oklahoma. While working on equipment in the field, he perfected the art of “throwing pliers” most of which have never been recovered. One of his greatest passions was a cold Fall Day hunting quail with friends and family and listening to the OU game while eating lunch on the back of the pickup. He enjoyed taking the family to the lake and cussing at the boat. He introduced the family to the joy of snow skiing which led to its own problems later in life with some members of his family, namely the boys, becoming ski bums.
Colorado in general and Creede, Colorado specifically, were true joys for him his entire life. His grandfather and dad would haul him to the mountains as a young boy and those experiences led him to eventually buy land and build his own retreat in the mountains. The Round ‘tuit Ranch became a place of joy and relaxation for 40 years. He loved to fish and spent many hours teaching his grandson’s how to catch the wily trout and other fish in the lakes, streams and rivers of Oklahoma and Colorado.
He loved camping with friends and family and looked forward every year to the big trip to the lake with some of the best people with which you could spend time.
Mike is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sarah Jane. Both sons, Chris and wife Janine; Troy and wife Shannon. Nine grandkids, Sean, Cade (Abigail), Luke, Lauren (Michel), Jeremiah (Katie), Elijah (Leah), Isaiah (Lyndi), Hannah (Daniel) and Mary. He also has 7 great-grandchildren running around out there as well.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Barbara and various aunts, uncles and some nieces and nephews.
Mike lived a great life. Family was the most important thing in the world to him. Well Done. We have the watch, Sir. A Celebration of Mike’s Life will be 10:30 Saturday, November 7, 2026, in the Anderson-Burris Funeral Home Chapel. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Anderson-Burris Funeral Home and Crematory.
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