Michael James Lingle

Michael (Mickey or Mike) James LINGLE, age 76 of Woodstock, GA went to be with the Lord on August 2, 2022. He was born in Atlanta, GA on June 21, 1946, to the late Peyton Irl Lingle and Bettyann Lewis Lingle of Alpharetta, GA.

Mike was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Irl Lloyd Lingle and Lillie Belle Mangum Lingle of Avondale, Estates, GA and Orin Minor Lewis and Amanda Lorena Glanzner Lewis of Decatur, GA.

Mike is survived by his daughter Meghan Marie Lingle DiFranco and her spouse, Tony DiFranco, as well as his three precious grandchildren who were the joy of his life, Luca Anthony, Nico Piero, and Leila Dyan of Twinsburg, Ohio. Also, his siblings survive him: Peyton Lewis Lingle and Sissy Baumgardner Lingle of Townsend, GA (Peyton Irl Lingle, II, Katy Lingle Pinson and Tracy Miller Lingle), Gerald Lloyd Lingle of Euless, TX (Gerald Lloyd Lingle, Jr. and Jason Irl Lingle), Sandy Lingle Beecham and Harry Andrew Beecham of Woodstock, GA (Brent Andrew Beecham, Michael Robert Beecham, and Troy Cavan Beecham), and Robert Christopher Lingle of Woodstock, GA.

Mike was an All-American boy, born the fourth of five children in a family where both of his parents were the only child of their parents. The Lingle siblings formed a special bond in ways that were different from other people with various uncles, aunts, and scores of cousins. His parents forged the prized value of “family” that despite various scatterings over many years, the Lingle Five always found a way to come together to celebrate their mutual affection.

Growing up in Avondale Estates provided experiences and growth that shaped his life. As an avid sportsman, he fostered his competitive spirit by participating in Little League baseball, played as a running back on a championship midget football team, and earned a letter for playing tennis in high school. He was selected to a position on the Havana-Atlanta swimming team but missed the honor of competing in Havana due to Castro's Cuban Revolution. He loved to play ping pong at the community pool, where he won virtually every match, including those against older opponents.  He was also elected the Master Councilor of The Internal Supreme Council Order of DeMolay Decatur Chapter.

In 1964, Mike graduated from Avondale High School. Serving as the athletic trainer for the 1963 Georgia state AAA football championship produced his best memories, lasting friendships, and the provision of a scholarship as a trainer to the FSU football team.

In 1968, Mike graduated from FSU where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta social fraternity. Upon his graduation, Mike received his commission as a reserve Army officer and later served in Korea in 1969 in the Signal Corps. He remained a staunch FSU supporter and booster as he held season tickets for Seminole football for 50 years and held a position as an Alumni officer for decades.

Mike was self-employed as Hometown Appraises in Roswell, Georgia, where he took pride in providing the most accurate and honest appraisal for his clients.

His travels reached out to Spain, Ireland, Britain, France, Mexico and Hong Kong. He made numerous cross-the-country drives and traveled to distant FSU games with his daughter. His travels often were made to family events, especially for landmark birthdays and Christmas with family in Williamsburg, Ohio and Texas.

Mike held membership in the Fort Barrington Hunting and Fishing Club for 25 years, extending the family's membership to a span of more than 80 years. He organized annual hunting and fishing trips, but the most meaningful trips were the summer family trips where generations bonded and created lasting memories.

Mike stayed connected to friends from high school, college, work, and a group who shared his love of hunting and fishing. He loved to cook where he spent and shared quality time in the kitchen. Sharing favorite recipes was a joy. He had a life-long love of dogs, especially Irish Terriers. He loved history and shared his interest in Civil War battlefields with his brother-- visiting no less than 10 sites.

Based on his value of “family,” his greatest pride was in his daughter and three grandchildren. He lavished on them his greatest asset-- TIME.

On Saturday, August 13, 2022, Mike's Celebration of Life shall be conducted by A.S. Turner and Sons beginning at 2773 North Decatur Road in Decatur:

·11:00 -1:00 Viewing

·1:00-1:30 Service

·1:30-2:15 Procession to Westview Cemetery

·2:15-2:45 Burial service

·3:30 - The Celebration of life will be concluded with dinner and drinks at the Avondale Community Club located at 59 Lakeshore Drive in Avondale Estates