* Michael A. Barendregt; Poet, Oxnard Native

Lifelong Oxnard resident Michael A. Barendregt died Sunday following a lengthy illness. He was 34.

Barendregt was born March 21, 1964, in Oxnard. He attended Elm Street and Harrington elementary schools and junior high at Douglas Penfield School in Oxnard. He was a 1982 graduate of Channel Islands High School.

Barendregt was a member and elder in the Port Hueneme congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. His wife, Gloria, said he was a dynamic public speaker who frequently traveled to other congregations to speak.

Barendregt worked as a boot salesman. He was a history buff and an avid reader.

“He had this compassion for others. He always was very comforting and considerate,” his wife said.

Barendregt’s sister-in-law, Christine Torres, said Barendregt was a published poet who wrote frequently about life and faith. He also enjoyed gardening and animals.

“He was a very gentle man,” Torres said. “He handled life very, very bravely.”

Barendregt was preceded in death by his brother, Eric David Barendregt.

In addition to his wife and sister-in-law, Barendregt is survived by his parents, Cornelius and Carolyn Barendregt of Ventura; a sister, Jana Marie Barendregt of Ventura; two grandmothers and a nephew.

Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nyeland Acres. Cremation arrangements were made by Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura.