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09/10/08 12:02 PM

Mitzi Nash (Abbott)

Hi everybody. This is my first post and what a sad one it is. I just heard about Mike today through Trina. I can hardly believe he's gone. He was so much fun in school. I was just telling my son the other day when he started his geometry class how much fun this guy named Mike and I had competing against each other in my geometry class. Mike would get so mad when I would make even one point higher than him on a test (which didn't happen very often) and he wouldn't speak to me for two days. We had so much fun bantering back and forth to each other. I don't remember much about high school but that is one of the memories that stick with me for some reason. It's still hard to believe Tonya G is gone and Rusty F. Life is precious. We'd be wise to savor each day and prepare for the life to come because this life is so short and even shorter for some. Praying for his family and friends that are hurting so bad. All of you take good care.

09/10/08 12:03 PM

Sara Francis (Fujimura)

Jolee--

Thanks so much for keeping everybody in the loop. I've known Mike since elementary school. And though we weren't close, I am heart-broken for his children. From everyone's posts, it sounds like he was a fantastic dad. My kids are missing Toshi terribly and he's only in Texas on a business trip. I can't even imagine what Mike's kids are going through.

Wow, I'm still in shock.

09/10/08 12:17 PM

Annette Gilliam (Nicely)

Yes thank you Jolee for all you have done keeping us informed about all the details. I am in on the spray and the memorial item.
I would also like to help with the scrapbook and if I could possibly get some part of it dedicated to the neighborhood. His son "Camden" is very close to several of the little boys here. Mike used to take him to watch my neighbor across the street play football a lot. I could get the kids to sign a page and see if they have some pictures to add. Just keep me posted on the scrapbooks progress and what I need to do to help.

09/10/08 01:09 PM

Kristen Witt (Bray)

Diane -- thank you so much for offering to meet me. I just got off the phone with Michelle and I told her that I would call her or you on Saturday about a time that we could meet. My mother-in-law told me that it was suppose to be scattered showers on Saturday, so hopefully we can schedule a time when it won't rain!

As far as everyone else, I know that we are all feeling a sense of helplessness. This pain and sadness can be so unbearable. And the shock is so tough to handle. Unfortunately, there are no words or actions that can take away the pain. But, we can stick together, talk about Mike, laugh at the wonderful memories that we have about him, and just do what he would have wanted us to do and that is to stay in touch with each other and live each moment to the fullest. I am so blessed that I have become such good friends with so many of you and I want you to know how much I appreciate all of the closeness that I have felt because of this forum!!!!

09/10/08 02:00 PM

Tina Hall (Scott)

This unfortunately is my first post to the message board. I have been living away from Roanoke for some time and moved back almost 2 years ago. I totally forgot to look up the reunion and missed it. I felt bad about it and now I feel even worse. I missed my opportunity to see Mike one last time.

We knew one another since elementary school and we even had the same class schedule our first semester at Virginia Tech. My heart goes out to his family and friends. I lost my dad in elementary school so a truly feel for his children.

I think the scrapbook is a wonderful idea and I will surely give you a check Jolee tomorrow at the funeral. It's been 20 years Jolee but you look just like you did in high school so I won't have any problems finding you.

BTW, I e-mail the webmaster (which I think is you Jolee) mentioning that I have some additional pics of Tonya Green to add to her page that I thought people would find interesting because there are pics of her in the mid 20's and then at 30 when she attended my wedding. How do I get those to you?

09/10/08 02:41 PM	#6
Diane Booth (Mabry) Kristen...no problem at all...just let me know. I talked to Missy earlier & she told me that Michelle was coming in.

09/10/08 02:44 PM

Kristen Witt (Bray)

Tina- I am so happy that you have joined the forum and that you have pictures of Tonya. I know that I have some pictures of her somewhere in my many boxes of pictures. I know that we would all love to see those pictures. And, I also want you to know how sorry that I am that you lost such a dear friend. I didn't even know that she had passed away until this forum was created. I feel bad because I remember how she and I use to joke around. She was so funny and I miss seeing her smile!

09/10/08 03:05 PM

Shannon Pugh (Lyle)

Tina H - It's nice to see you in the forum. You were missed at the reunion!

My fondest memories of Mike are from our time at Virginia Tech. He and my husband, Glen, were roommates there. It's great that he and Glen got to hang out again at the reunion. I'm so glad we went. They had just reconnected - texting back and forth about Hokie football and life in general. Mike was a truly special person who touched so many people throughout his life. He will be truly missed. May God bless his parents, sisters and his children.

09/10/08 03:15 PM

Carla Boyd (McCabe)

Hi all... I will be attending the service in the AM with John Morton and April(Burger) Garmon. John and I had the idea of maybe going to lunch somewhere after the service. Maybe Famous Anthony's...? We figure a lot of people might want to join us. Kinda clear the head before we go about our day again.
If anyone is interested in going out this weekend...I am SURE that Mike would want us to go have some fun together.

09/10/08 03:54 PM

#10

Scott Proffitt

Hello to all, I just got the message and couldn't help to remember how much of an influence mike was to me as we grew up. Mike and I were friends as far back as I can remember at Glen Cove. Mike always seems to have things wired even back then. As a matter of fact I can remember watching mike with great ease, talk to some of the older (untouchable) girls in Jr. High and even at Glenn Cove. That was how mike was, very confident.
Mike and I use to play basketball & backyard football together, mostly on the opposite team, at his home in North Lakes. He was very competitive and was always looking to get half the neighborhood involved in some kind of sport and he was usually the leader. Never did I hear anything negative about mike, but what I did hear, was how many friends he had and continues to have. I can still picture him giving Coach Poff and Maynard a hard time in Jr. High. I can't begin to tell all of you how great it was to see everyone again back in July, especially Mike. My family and I send our prayers to his family. God Speed Mike

09/10/08 04:39 PM

#11

Brian Dent

I am absolutely sick to say the least. My intentions are to be at the service tomorrow, but it depends on how work goes tonight. Knowing Mike since the Glen Cove days and being one of his neighbors forever, i just ain't handling this very well. I am still in the dark over the details and would appreciate it if someone could clue me in on what happened. I will be sleeping until 8pm and would love it if someone would call me after that. 804-822-9263. I spoke to Kristy Keesee Ayers last night and she was pretty heart broken and keeping the family in her thoughts and prayers.

09/10/08 07:58 PM

#12

Rodney Wohlford

Hey everyone been doing inventory all week at work 13 to 15 hour days and really just yesterday evening got info on Mike's death. I haven't had time to go back and read all the post but can I get address on the spray or kids memorial if there is one. Also who is taking the pictures?? I got a good one somewhere as soon as I can find it of Mike and Myself in PeeWee basketball I think in Purple of all colors with shorts up so high Tina Turner would be jealous. If I remember correctly Mike Rodger's and Mike Goode's dad were the coaches.

This stuff I think gets harder the older you get because I think you really start to appreciate how special everyone and everything is once you realize that you are not invincible and indestructible as you do when you are younger. And when you throw kids into the mix!! Can't imagine and that is the hardest part because it does not make sense at all.

09/10/08 08:18 PM	#13
Kimberly Jones (Gilkeson) Hello everyone! This is my first post to the message board as well. I did not attend the reunion and feel horrible about it now. Carla mentioned it to me and I should have listened to her! Mike will be deeply missed by all. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!

09/10/08 09:17 PM

#14

Amy Wilhelm (McGuirt)

I'm absolutly sick that I won't be able to make it in tomorrow. I've known Mike since the 1st grade and spent many nights walking around North Lakes in big groups, at the pool and hanging out at each others houses. I have loads of memories of all of this.
I too want to thank the reunion committee once again for bringing us all together again! It was great reconnecting with everyone especially now that we've lost Mike. I just keep seeing him still on the dance floor at 2am jamming to Metalica while the staff was trying to clean up!!
I still can't get my head around the idea that he is gone and I can't imagine what this is going to be like for his kids and family.
Take care everyone...talk to ya soon

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