The wood carving Sebastian Michelena sent from Italy still hangs in Joseph Michelena's kitchen in Clearmont. A lady is carved out of the wood, sitting with leaves all around her.

It was just one of many gifts Sebastian sent his brother Joseph from the various countries he lived and worked in as a teacher for Department of Defense schools.

"It is beautiful," Joseph said. "He'd always send some neat thing."

Sebastian Michelena died Jan. 15 at age 67.

Joseph said Sebastian had a deep love of art. The wood carving Sebastian sent reminds Joseph of his brother's talent and deep appreciation for art. Sebastian always made sure to send gifts, Joseph said. In Joseph's house is the wood carving and a set of fancy brass candlesticks, among other presents from across the world.

"I forget all the others," Joseph said.

Throughout his life, Sebastian traveled through much of Europe, collecting gifts for his family and making numerous friends as he went along. He taught art in Sheridan and overseas in Italy, Spain and Germany.

Sebastian later became an education administrator for Department of Defense schools and added Africa and Asia to his long list of exotic places visited. He retired in 2005 and moved to Buffalo.

"I asked him, just a week before he died, 'Sebastian, you've been all over the world. How come you chose Buffalo, Wyo.?' " Joseph said. "Of course he said he wanted to near his brother and sisters."

The Michelena family has 12 children, most of whom live in Wyoming. Sebastian was close to his brothers and sisters, and built a large circle of friends from around the world, said his sister, Kathleen Smith.

"He got calls most everyday, from Italy, Spain, Germany, you name it," she said.

Those friends sent e-mails to be read at Sebastian's rosary. Between 25 and 30 emails shared memories of time spent with Sebastian, and were "really neat," Kathleen said. Most remembered Sebastian as being a gentle ambassador for teachers.

Tony Marino from Vicenza, Italy wrote that it was near impossible to express his high thoughts of Sebastian.

"Consummate artist, host and story teller only scratch the surface. Suffice it to say that he was as comfortable with the Queen of Spain as he was with the children he presented to her," Marino wrote in his email. "It is my privilege to have known this gentle man."

Yes, Sebastian's circle of friends even included the queen of Spain.

Sebastian spent numerous hours each year to host an art show for all his students, first grade to 12th grade. One year, he invited the queen to a show. He ended up with an invitation to the palace to share his students' artwork and present his students to the queen.

Sebastian was almost turned away at the door until he showed his invitation, Kathleen said. The combination of teaching art and exploring the world suited Sebastian, she continued. He had a special ability to not only teach people, but reach out to them. Sebastian was also deeply rooted in his Catholic faith and Basque heritage.

"He loved his faith, his family, his culture," Kathleen said.

Kathleen stayed with her brother for the last month of his life, and even as he became more ill, Sebastian still held to his gentle ways. He never stopped saying thank you to his family or reminiscing about his adventures in the world.

"He loved life and lived life," Kathleen said. "I mean, he lived. He never sat at home."

Reach reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com.