Michael Duarte was married to his wife of nine years, Jessica Lee Duarte. Michael is survived by Jessica and their 6-year-old daughter, Oakley. Despite being a food influencer with 846K followers on Instagram, Duarte did not usually post his family on his Instagram feed. However, he does have a "FAMILY" highlight where he shared a few clips and photos of his wife, daughter, and other family members.According to the GoFundMe page set up for Michael by Nena Petrecca, Michael and Jessica had just celebrated their 9-year anniversary three days before he tragically passed away.A target of $100K was set on the GoFundMe page to cover the funeral expenses and more. According to the page, it explained:"This heartbreak came without warning, leaving Jessica to incur the expense of bringing him back home to California and covering funeral expenses. During this time, and in the months/years ahead, we want to make sure that Jessica and Oakley are taken care of as Michael would have wanted them to be. Your support would bring comfort, stability, and a reminder that they are not carrying this weight alone."The funeral dates are yet to be announced and will be shared later, it concluded:"The funeral plans for Michael are undecided at this time, but we will update you all at a later date. The family deeply thanks you for your love and support as they grieve through this tragic loss."The last post Michael Duarte shared of his wife and daughter was 129 weeks ago on his Instagram stories. It seemed like they were attending a show or a game of some sort. Michael tagged his wife, Jessica, and wrote:"My girls," with a red heart emoji.Tributes for Michael DuarteMichael Duarte's sudden and tragic passing shocked many of his friends and followers. The internet is mourning his death, and many have shared their favorite memories of the food influencer.Here are a few of the tributes shared by those who have worked with @foodwithbearhands.Bear Mountain BBQ Pellets took to Instagram to share a photo of Michael, his wife, their daughter, Oakley, and their puppy.They talked about how Michael was not just a teammate, but the heart of their community. He was always one to come up with surprisingly good ideas, praising his creativity as well. As for his family life, they wrote:"But beyond the work, Michael was so much more. A proud dad who lit up every time he spoke about his daughter. A devoted husband whose love for his family was the center of everything he did. A good man with a generous heart, whose warmth and kindness touched everyone he met. There's no replacing someone like Michael. His loss leaves a space that can never be filled, but his spirit, his energy, his passion and his creativity will always be part of us." View this post on Instagram Instagram PostDavid Figueroa, a chef and recipe developer, also shared a video of Michael Duarte cooking and wrote:"Today I want to honor my friend Michael Duarte, a true creative force with perfect timing, comedy, and a knack for the dramatic. He poured his heart into everything he made and always called, so excited to show me his latest work... He always seemed so full of joy, but we never really know what someone is going through... The barbecue community loved you and would have surrounded you with love and open arms."He added:"Your passing hit us hard because we're a family at heart, and losing you hurts deeply. Your impact was incredible and you will be missed."He also shared a funny memory from the past, writing:"Today I'm replaying the first video you made for me. The one that went viral and became part of your signature style. People couldn't believe you slapped the tongue and made it lick up spice off the board (Ew 😂). Only you would think of that, and you made it unforgettable."Michael Duarte's passing has left his family, friends, and followers heartbroken. He was not only a talented creator but also a loving husband and proud dad who lit up every room he entered. Those who knew him say his kindness, creativity, and warmth will never be forgotten.