John Michael

John H. (Skip) Michael, Jr., November 30, 1943 – October 24, 2013, longtime resident of the Virginia Veterans Care Center in Roanoke died peacefully, and he was gone, in the words of the familiar biblical phrase, “in the twinkling of an eye.”

Skip served in the Navy and after receiving training as a medical corpsman, was assigned to a Marine Combat Unit that was stationed near the DMZ at Quang Tri City, Vietnam. Skip shared little about his Vietnam experiences with his family, but his time there surely altered his life dramatically and tragically. Upon his return from Vietnam, Skip was almost immediately beset with severe bi-polar disease that dominated him until his death. Skip Michael at his core was a gentle, happy, and fun-loving individual. Surely, our loving God has a special place in heaven for his children who are beset with conditions throughout most of their lives over which they have little control and which causes them much dysfunction. God has now exorcised that bi-polar demon from Skip and his new spirit body is free of that plague so he can enjoy God forever.

Skip is survived by his sister, Margot Thompson and her husband Joe Thompson of Christiansburg, who were his caregivers for the last years of his life. One of Skip’s pleasures in life was to place $1 bets on sports games with his pal Art at the Virginia Veterans Care Center, and in addition he so looked forward to being taken out to eat once a week by Margot and Joe. After these dinner excursions Skip loved to go to Katie’s Ice Cream and the young folks working there always made Skip feel special because when they saw him approach the building they would prepare his favorite goodie, a hot fudge sundae, and have it ready for him when he approached the counter. Thanks Kelly and the others who helped make our beloved brother feel so special; your seemingly small gesture added so much to his self-esteem and happiness. Once he finished his hot fudge sundae, Skip would always say, “That was a great way to top off a meal.” It was the little things like being treated special at Katie’s that gave Skip the best moments in his life. We sometimes never know what positive effects result from seemingly small and kind gestures we make to another person, even when we simply smile at someone.

We extend grateful thanks to the host of wonderful folks at the Virginia Veterans Care Center for caring for our brother so well for over 9 years. Skip was happy in your care and we were so pleased how well he was treated. Thank you.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at Sunset Cemetery, Christiansburg, with Rev. George Thompson of Houston, Texas officiating.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial gift to Margot’s charity of choice, the Dental Aid Partners of the NRV, 105 Centre Court, Radford, VA 24141.