Rev. Don Malcolm Michael

Don Malcolm Michael, 85, of Salisbury, NC, passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at home surrounded by his family. Born September 16, 1925, Lexington, NC and was the son of the late James A. Michael and Thelma Fritts Michael. He was preceded in death by his brother Bobby F. Michael. He attended schools in Lexington, High Point, and Asheboro, NC. He was a graduate of Lenoir Rhyne College, Hickory, NC , and the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. He did his graduate work at Harvard Divinity School and completed the course of instruction at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA, where he was the first Navy Chaplain to attend. Rev. Michael served Zion Lutheran Church, Hickory, NC as his first pastorate. He was commissioned as a Navy Chaplain in 1951 and retired as Captain USN on July 31, 1978. On the occasion of his retirement he was presented the Meritorious Service Medal for his service as Base Chaplain, Marine Corps Base at Camp Lejeune, NC. His tours of duty included the battleship USS Iowa, the destroyer tender, USS Bryce Canyon and the aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise. He also served tours of duty as Naval Chaplain Sigonella, Sicily; District Chaplain, 12th Naval District, San Francisco, CA; Depot Chaplain, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC, and Division Chaplain, Third Marine Division FMF based in Okinawa, Japan. Rev. Michael then served as pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Salisbury, NC until his retirement in September 1987. During his pastorate, he was active in outreach ministries of the Lutheran Church; the social ministry programs of Rowan Cooperative Christian Ministries and Rowan Helping Ministries. He was a member of the Parish Life and Ministry Committee of the NC Synod and chaired the committee for several years. He was also an active member of the Professional Service Committee of the Synod. After retirement from Gloria Dei, he had served as Vice Pastor of Lebanon Lutheran Church, Cleveland and Salem Lutheran Church, Salisbury. Rev. Michael served on various committees at Rufty Holmes Senior Center from 1988-2009 and the Board of Directors from 1997 to 2002. He was Local Coordinator for the Tax Aide Program from 1997 to 2003. He continued to help as a tax instructor and counselor until 2009. He was also a Charter Member of the Military Officers Association of America. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Helen Waggoner Michael, his son Don Michael, Jr. of Georgia and Julia Hibbard (Dave) of Salisbury, his two grandsons Daniel Michael (Jenny) of Salisbury and Robert Michael of California and two great-grandchildren Nicholas and Kirsten Michael of Salisbury. A memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 4 at 3:00 pm at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church with Pastor Bill Battermann officiating. Visitation will follow in the church fellowship hall. At other times the family will be at the home. Summersett Funeral Home is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1908 Statesville Blvd, Salisbury, NC 28144 or Rowan Regional Hospice, 720 Grove St., Salisbury, NC 28144.

Rev. Don Malcolm Michael

September 16, 1925 - June 1, 2011