Pastor Michael Charles England, age 71, of Morganton, passed away Sunday, September 19, 2021.
Michael was born to Josephine and Marion England in 1951, in Port Angeles, Washington. He lived all over the northeast as his father worked for the Bureau of Land Management. He received both his master’s and doctorate in Theology at Christian Life School of Theology in Columbus, Georgia, a bachelor’s degree in Science and Math at Oregon State University and an associates degree in Theology at Christ for the Nation’s in Dallas, Texas.
Michael earned the rank of Captain in the United States Air Force as a pilot. He remarked many times that as the pilots would sit around in the evenings they would laugh remarking, “Don’t tell them that we would pay them to fly these things.”
Mike was the mayor of Morganton, a job which he loved. He also had another hat he wore with pride, that of being co-pastor (with his wife) at Tri-State Christian Center, a Presence-Driven Church also in Morganton.
Mike wore a lot of hats, but the one he loved the most was for the Word of God! He spent hours pouring over the Bible. He would come from studying with a cocked head and with that familiar grin on his face, asking either his wife or one of his minister friends, “I wonder if you ever saw this before?”
Mike was preceded by his mother and father; his brothers, Richard and James. He is survived by brother, Robert; his loving wife, DeDe; his children, Johnathan, Brandon and Bethany; and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews as well as sisters-in-law.
Mike was loved and will be missed by many and left very big shoes to fill. “We will miss you dearly, Dad.”
Memorial services will be Sunday, October 10, 2021, at 2:30 p.m. from The Ridge Community Church. Military honors will be provided by the North Georgia Honor Guard.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com.
Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.