 Friends         | Just a friendly southern "Dude". I am 50 and have been paralyzed since I was 18. But hey, didn't let it get me down and finished college and was a special education for nine years. I'm a sports fanatic! Love all sports but mainly football! A big Ole Miss Rebel fan! HottyToddy! Love to laugh and think that nothing is better than a "good belly laugh"! Good for the soul.  flamingred: Was just thinking of you today, you are not forgotten 5 months ago • Report • Link  0  Lucy Furr: I came to Mikey's page to wish him a happy Valentine's day. After seeing a few comments below and being stricken with the news, I did a bit of research. Mikey and I were really good friends. We skyped often and wrote messages to each other daily. He was in my fantasy football league after I convinced him it was a great idea... He didn't want to at first, but he gave it a try. He always sent funny emails to my personal email too! After thanksgiving, I hadn't heard from him. No emails. No messages here. No skype calls. I assumed he didn't get access to his computer as you all know the challenges he faced daily being a quadriplegic. I knew his full name so I did my own research. It turns out, it's true. Mikey is gone. Below is his obituary. I edited it and took out names for privacy. Rest peacefully, Mikey! You were an angel before you earned your wings and I'm happy to have known you! I wish I would have gotten a chance to say goodbye. Michael's Story Robert Michael (Mike) 51, was born on November 11, 1966, in Meridian, MS to parents Rob (Bob) and Carolyn. He went to be with his Lord on December 12, 2017. Michael was awarded Eagle Scout at the age of 13, receiving his Court of Honor at the Boy Scouts of America Choctaw Area Council and awarded Order of the Arrow. Michael attended Quitman High School where he lettered in football, baseball, and golf. In 1983 he was voted most valuable offensive player on the baseball team. He was awarded all-conference honors and the offensive leadership award in the 1982-83 football season and led the Panthers to a Sam Dale Championship and a win in the Oil Bowl. Michael graduated from Quitman High School in 1984 with honors and received the Hugh O'Brian leadership award. Michael served as a page for Republican James Price in the House of Representatives. Michael attended Jones County Junior College in 1984-85 where he lettered in football and played in the Ranger Bowl in Ranger TX. Michael was voted class favorite, president of the Young Republicans Club and President of the student body. After his accident in 1985, Michael graduated with honors from Meridian Junior College in 1987 and while attending was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, a National Honor Society of Community and Junior Colleges and was a member of the Scholastic Bowl Team. In 1989 Michael graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree with a double major in History and Psychology. Michael received a secondary education and special education teachers license and taught Special Education Reading and English at Quitman Junior High from 1991-2000. Michael wrote articles in many newspapers across the country sharing his political views. (This was the part where they listed family. I took it out for privacy) In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to be sent to Michael's favorite charities, St. Jude's Children Hospital and Shriner's Hospital for Children. Michael was a devout Christian and his life's Journey was an inspiration to everyone that knew him. He had unyielding faith and determination no matter what obstacles that he faced. He will be remembered as a talented athlete, singer, and poet. He was a humanitarian who loved unconditionally and was always a voice of reason. He was always upbeat and never without a smile on his face. He loved his family and friends dearly. He was an avid sports fan and loved his Ole Miss Rebels. Michael will be greatly missed by friends and family, but we rejoice knowing that he is, once again, walking and singing in Heaven. Written By Michael (Last name taken out) July 31, 2015 We can only hope that whatever we face in life, we do so learning the entire way so as to not waste a moment that may help us in the future. I think that's all part of God's plan. To learn to be better people and in doing so, we remember that there were flowers and beauty and even blessings on that "Less Traveled Road". Those help us appreciate what we have been through and allow us to share our journey so that it will be a light for others who no doubt are watching. Because we all are making a difference for someone. Like it or not, people are always watching us and I truly believe that it's not so important what we face in life but rather, how we face it. If we learn to do so with a smile, laughter and with fortitude, that's the lesson and testimony that I believe God wanted us to learn! For that is the legacy that we are leaving and that is the example we are setting for others to remember us by so that they can walk their paths just a little easier! Take a moment to remember Mikey today. He was one of the good ones! RIP, Mikey.  flamingred: thank u so much Lucy for writing this for all his friends to read. That was very thoughtful of you. flamingred: Oh no !! IHOPE U R FREE AND RUNNING LIKE THE WIND U ARE A LOVELY STAR IN THE SKY A GEM IN THE ATMOSPHERE  Susi_Sorglos: I love you my friend ... we see again in heaven. Fly, Michael, and Dance on the Clouds. I miss you so much!!! flamingred: Wheelchairrebel has passed away? I REALLY REALLY HOPE I AM JUST MISUNDERSTANDING PLSE ANSWER ME WHEELCHAIRREBEL  Wheelchairrebel: I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! I'll be eating some good "Southern Vittles", enjoying family and watching football! It doesn't get any better, does it? Wheelchairrebel: I know it is a classic and I should be really respectful. But am I the only man that ever feels just a little bit squeamish when I see the advertisements for "The Nutcracker"? LOL!! Wheelchairrebel: Am I the only one that starts this week with the anticipation of "Dressing and All of the Fixins'"? What does that say about my life? LMAO! Wheelchairrebel: A special thank you to my Dad who served in the Navy and to all others that have and are serving for our freedoms! #HappyVeteransDayWeekend   Wheelchairrebel: It's my birthday tomorrow! The 11th! But hey, I'll take the cake and ice cream! And of course your friendship! flamingred: hello hope u had a good weekend, mine was pretty good , now if the Flames would quit losing hockey games I would be happy as a clam Wheelchairrebel: I had an okay weekend except for Sunday. Did not feel too well Sunday. A little better today. Sorry for your flames. I'm having the same problem with my college football team! I hope you have a good week. Wheelchairrebel to Lucy Furr: Hey, what's up? Good luck with your Green Bay Packers this weekend. I certainly hope the new quarterback works out. And also good luck with your fantasy football. Wheelchairrebel: There are three kinds of men: The ones that learned by reading, the few that learned by observation, and then there are those of us who have to pee on an electric fence and learn the hard way! LOL! Wheelchairrebel: "If you don't learn to Laugh at Trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you're old!" – Will Rogers (That explains why I enjoy a good belly laugh!) #agoodlessontoliveby Wheelchairrebel in reply to Happy Go Lucky lass: Nothing like a good belly laugh is it? Seems to make everything go away, at least for a little while! Wheelchairrebel to Lucy Furr: Have a great weekend! I hope your Packers beat the heck out of the Cowboys. By the way, check your email! Wheelchairrebel: Want to bring every man together; Just watch men react when this happens to one of us! LOL! It takes a fool to be a catcher! I was a catcher, now what does that say about me? :-) :-)   Wheelchairrebel: I woke up this morning to the news of the terrible shooting in Las Vegas We cannot understand Evil!! It has existed forever. All I can do is Love and Pray that the Holy Spirit will cover the nation with peace and comfort. Wheelchairrebel: Just wanted to say Hello to my buddies on here. Smile! It will do you good even if you don't feel like smiling. It does me and also will make people wonder why you're smiling! LOL! |
