John Revell Michael

John Revell Michael died on Saturday, March 14 at the age of 95 at The Village at Brookwood after several months of declining health. Born in Audubon, NJ, on January 9, 1925, he was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Jackson Michael and Anna Torp Michael and by his sisters, Mary Jane Jones and Nancy Michael Austin.

In 1943, John was drafted into the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 23rd Signal Heavy Construction Battalion. During World War II, he served in Burma maintaining telephone communications on the Ledo and Burma roads. After the war, he attended Edwards Military Academy in Salemburg, NC, for one year. He transferred to North Carolina State University to take advantage of the GI Bill and graduated with an engineering degree. While a student at NCSU, John met the love of his life, Nancy Ann Jones, who was a student at Womans College in Greensboro, NC. They were married in McColl, SC in June of 1951.

John worked at Burlington Industries in Radford, VA, and Lexington, NC, before moving to Gibsonville, NC, to work for Engineered Plastics. He later became a partner in Alamance Machine Products and in 1963 started his own company, Dexco Company, Inc.

John was active in his community and church serving willingly and selflessly. As a member of the Greatest Generation, he commanded respect, was honorable and trustworthy. A man of integrity, he was hard-working, smart, independent and loved God, his family and his country. He was a devout member of First Baptist Church of Burlington, where he was a life deacon. He served on the Salvation Army board for many years, but nearest and dearest to his heart was the ministry of Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge. He faithfully supported them and served as president of their board of directors.

Some of John and Nancy’s happiest times were spent at their Ocean Isle Beach cottage. For 47 years, they generously shared their home with friends and family. It was a home that abounded with love and laughter and many cherished memories were created there.

John and Nancy adored their travels across the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Holy Land. They enjoyed traveling with their friends and with family. Some of their most treasured trips were the ones taken abroad with their grandchildren.

John always had a fondness for old cars, trains and coins. In 1981 he embarked on a new hobby of farming. He planted 150 peach trees in western Alamance County and enjoyed operating Michael Peach Orchard for many years.

For decades, he enjoyed his Thursday morning breakfast gathering and often referred to it as the highlight of his week.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Mary Lindsay, who gave such loving care to John for the last five months and to the skilled nursing staff at The Village at Brookwood for their compassion and care to John and his family in his final days.

In addition to his loving wife of 68 years, Nancy, John is survived by a son, Joseph R. Michael, Sr. (Lee Ann), Four daughters, Janet Michael Rippy (John), Carol Michael Crenshaw (John), Julie Michael Wolverton (William) and Sandy Michael Russell (Geoff). Eleven grandchildren, Amy Michael Huneycutt (Kirk), Joseph R. Michael, Jr (Chandler), John M. Rippy, Jr. (Charlotte), Rebecca Rippy McGee, Anna Rippy Kroko (Jake), Abby Crenshaw Camby (Chuck), Will Crenshaw (Bonnie), Tess Wolverton, Jack Wolverton, Carson Russell, Lily Russell and thirteen great-grandchildren.

In light of the recent restrictions due to the Coronavirus, the family will have a private service on Friday, March 20, 2020 at the Rich & Thompson Chapel in Burlington. There will not be a family visitation. Friends are welcome to come by the funeral home starting Wednesday morning to pay their respects to Mr. Michael.

Memorials may be made to Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge, PO Box 77914, Greensboro, NC 27417 or First Baptist Church of Burlington, PO Box 2686, Burlington, NC 27216-2686.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Revell Michael, please visit our floral store.