Volunteer Michael Anthony Dies of AIDS

Michael Anthony, an active volunteer in several Orange County organizations, died at home Tuesday afternoon of complications from AIDS. He was 28.

Born in North Carolina, Anthony grew up in Missouri and moved to California in 1986. He worked as a sales representative for the design company Shears & Window, and last year enrolled in the paralegal certification program at the Southern California College of Business and Law.

At the time of his death, Anthony was president of the boards of the Orange County chapter of Design Alliance to Combat AIDS and the Huntington Beach-based Shelters for the Homeless. He also volunteered for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Toys for Tots, Orange County’s children’s burn unit, the American Cancer Foundation, the AIDS Response Program in Garden Grove and the AIDS Services Foundation in Irvine.

Last week, the Laguna Niguel Mayor Thomas W. Wilson honored Anthony with a proclamation of commendation for his volunteerism. Mothers Against Drunk Driving named him most valuable volunteer in 1986 for implementing Orange County’s designated driver program.

Anthony first became sick five months ago.

He is survived by his partner of four years, Bart Story; his parents, Louise and Frank Jimenez, who live in Missouri; two sisters, Yolanda Marie Engstrand of Iowa and Emilia Ann Jimenez of Missouri; and a brother, Joseph Jimenez of North Carolina.