Michael John Balun

Michael John Balun died at home in Livermore, California on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. He was 74.

Balun was born May 30, 1940, in Monterey, California, and graduated from Monterey Union High School in 1958. After studying drafting at Monterey Peninsula College, he went on to work at the University of California’s Lawrence Radiation Laboratory. He left the Lab to serve his country in the Army after being drafted in 1963. Upon completion of active service, Balun returned to his work as a draftsman at what eventually became Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Balun retired in 2000 after 35 years at the Lab, and thereafter devoted his time to volunteering both locally and abroad. He traveled the world building homes with Habitat for Humanity, working with the organization most recently in Cambodia this past fall.

Balun is survived by his siblings, Barbara Burcham (Chuck), Doug Balun and John Balun along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held Jan. 3^, 2015 in the Monterey area.

For additional details, contact the family at vbalun [at] gmail.com (vbalun[at]gmail[dot]com). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley.