After his 40th Snohomish High School Class of 1972 reunion, Mike Carver decked out his 1967 Ford truck with signs and Panther flags to show his pride. He drove it around town and in parades, blasting music from 18 speakers and trailing bubbles. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

After his 40th Snohomish High School Class of 1972 reunion, Mike Carver decked out his 1967 Ford truck with signs and Panther flags to show his pride. He drove it around town and in parades, blasting music from 18 speakers and trailing bubbles. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

‘Always a Panther’: He brought bubbles, joy to the streets of Snohomish

Mike Carver’s red ‘67 Ford truck was a tribute to town pride and his Class of 1972. He died Feb. 3 at age 69.

SNOHOMISH — He made every day a parade.

Mike Carver’s red 1967 Ford pickup truck was a rootin’-tootin’ tribute to town pride and his Snohomish Class of ‘72.

Music blared from the truck’s 18 speakers, lights flashed and bubbles blasted from the tailgate as the man with the bushy white beard made the rounds around town on Saturdays.

People stood at attention to smile and wave.

The streets will be duller now.

Carver died unexpectedly Feb. 3. He was 69.

His son, Aaron, said services will be held within a month in Snohomish.

“He was a loving papa to all three of his grandkids (Caleb, Andrew and Savanah) and many other kids that he met,” Aaron Carver said. “I think the one important thing about my dad was that he always showed respect for everybody, no matter what their status, he always treated them like he would want to be treated. He wasn’t rich financially, but he was rich with sharing and caring, which he showed every time he drove through the streets of town playing music and blowing the bubbles.”

During the pandemic, the rides were his mission to “try to keep people in good spirits, despite all the challenges that were going on,” his son said.

Carver, who lived in Gold Bar, drove the red truck at parades and events, along with the Saturday rides.

“He’d just make his loop, drive around three or four times playing his music, with bubbles blowing out of his truck,” said Nicolette Sigler, owner of Home Inspirations on First Street. “He brought joy every week. How many people out there are like that?”

Mike Carver as he appeared in the Snohomish Class of 1972 yearbook. His 40th class reunion prompted him to decorate his truck as a tribute to his alma mater, with flags, music and bubbles. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)

Mike Carver as he appeared in the Snohomish Class of 1972 yearbook. His 40th class reunion prompted him to decorate his truck as a tribute to his alma mater, with flags, music and bubbles. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)

After serving in the Army, Carver milked cows for 20 years in Snohomish. He later did landscaping.

The red ’67 Ford was just his lawn-care rig until he went to his 40th class reunion in 2012. That’s what started it.

“I think everybody should be proud of the town and the school that hands them a diploma,” Carver told The Daily Herald for a 2018 story. “I transferred my senior year from Darrington. I was in foster homes. I ran away from up there. My brother in Snohomish decided to give me a try. It worked out good. That’s why I graduated.”

He wasn’t a sports star or scholar. In the 1972 yearbook by his name is “FFA,” for the agriculture club. That’s it.

In his truck, along with four boxes of music CDs, he kept a briefcase with a copy of the yearbook.

“We were No. 1 in my day. I’m trying to keep it going,” he told the Herald.

In 2019, Snohomish High School presented him with a 1972 letterman jacket that he often wore.

The school’s Facebook post this week read: “Mike had a tremendous amount of pride in his Panthers. We will miss seeing and hearing the famous red and white ’67 Ford around town and campus. Thanks for everything, Mike. Once a Panther, always a Panther.”

Tributes poured in over social media.

“We’re never going to see a Snohomie quite like this again,” one said.

“We should all start driving around with bubble makers on our cars, in his memory,” said another.

Many asked what will happen to the truck.

“His truck went to my sister, Aimee, so it will continue to stay in our family,” Aaron Carver said. “She will try to get it down to Snohomish as much as possible.”

Andrea Brown: 425-339-3443; abrown@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterbrown.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

People cross Hoyt Avenue next to the Imagine Children’s Museum on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett adds ‘no sit, no lie’ zone around children’s museum

It’s the fourth buffer zone added since last year where it’s illegal to sit or lie down.

Gov. Jay Inslee campaigns against Initiative 2117, which would cut the state’s carbon cap and investment program, at Aslan Brewery in Bellingham on Oct. 5. Environmentalists and one of the world’s biggest oil companies support Washington State’s cap on carbon. But voters are deciding whether to repeal the law amid concerns about energy costs. (Grant Hindsley / The New York Times)
With $10B deficit looming, Inslee calls for WA agencies to make cuts

The outgoing governor says reductions are needed to balance the next budget. Lawmakers may also consider new taxes.

Everett
Everett man who dealt fentanyl to undercover agent gets federal prison

Dane Britton will spend six years behind bars after selling guns and drugs to a federal agent.

The Marysville Municipal Jail is pictured Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville increases mandatory minimum penalties for repeat offenders

The city still doesn’t know the effects of the original ordinance, but still strengthened the penalties this month.

Interim Marysville School District Superintendent David Burgess speaks at a presentation regarding potential school closures Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at Marysville Pilchuck High School. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Marysville unveils 3 options for upcoming school closures

The new School Closure Planning Committee will recommend one of the options to the school board by December.

One of the parking lots at Stevens Pass Thursday afternoon on December 30, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Stevens Pass expected to open Dec. 6

But that depends on the weather. Last year, the ski resort had to delay opening due to a lack of snow.

Brandon Hughes, a utility worker from Okanogan County, works on repairing a power line on Friday, Nov. 22 east of Lake Stevens, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Thousands still without power in Snohomish County after bomb cyclone

Libraries are providing access to electricity as crews from across Washington work to fix power lines.

Lynnwood
Woman killed at Lynnwood encampment during bomb cyclone identified

Officials identified the deceased as Deborah O’Connor, 65. She died of compressional asphyxia and blunt force injuries.

A closed road at the Heather Lake Trail parking lot along the Mountain Loop Highway in Snohomish County, Washington on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Mountain Loop Highway closes for the winter

The scenic highway closes each year for winter. This year, it reopened June 10.

Part of a fallen tree came through an Amtrak train Tuesday night. (Photo provided by the state Department of Transportation)
Amtrak engineer nearly impaled by tree in Silvana during bomb cyclone

The train was carrying 48 passengers from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Seattle when it hit a fallen tree on the tracks.

A hydrogen-powered motor is displayed during an event at ZeroAvia’s new Everett facility on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, near Paine Field in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Local lawmakers urge changes to proposed federal hydrogen energy rules

Snohomish County’s congressional delegation believes the current policy is counterproductive to clean energy goals.

Granite Falls
Mother pleads guilty in accidental shooting of baby in Granite Falls

The 11-month-old girl’s father pleaded guilty to manslaughter last month. Both parents are set to be sentenced in January.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.