Michael Sellars

Michael Edward Sellars, age 62, of Canton, Georgia died on November 19 at Atlanta’s Grady Hospital after a long struggle with cancer. Born May 27, 1948 in Pensacola, Florida, Mike lived in the Atlanta area since 1976, working in the retail food, printing and hospitality industries. He was a member of Atlanta’s Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church for many years, and attended First United Methodist Church of Canton after moving to Cherokee County. Intensely curious, Mike’s interests showed remarkable breadth. They included classical music, botany, gemstones, physics, landscape painting, Japanese bonsai, exotic cars, graphic arts, woodworking, military aircraft, oriental art, travel and more. Friends often accused him, with good reason, of possessing a “masters’ degree in Triviology.” An accomplished photographer, Mike left behind a collection of extraordinary photos from his travels. In younger days he showed more enthusiasm than finesse as a snow skier, always preferring to take the shortest and fastest path between two points and leveling moguls with his impressive strength. Never married, he was nevertheless known as “Uncle Mike” to both parents and children of many “adopted” families who valued his intellect, gentle humor, friendship and love. Mike is survived by his stepmother, Lucille Wooten Sellars of Orange Park, Florida, his brother and sister-in-law Joe and Denise Sellars of Jacksonville, Florida, his nephews Michael Joseph Sellars and William Edward Sellars of Jacksonville, Florida, his Aunt Hilda and Uncle Harold Carpenter of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, his friend and caretaker, Corrie Thomas of Tucker, Georgia, and many cousins. Mike is also survived by the many families in the Atlanta area, Minnesota, France, Germany, Brazil and elsewhere who considered him to be an honorary relative. Memorial services will be held on Friday, December 3, 2010 at First United Methodist Church of Canton, Georgia with visitation at 1:00pm and the service commencing at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the ministry of Mike’s friend David Brazzeal (payable to International Mission Board, Office of Finance, PO Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230) or to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org). The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Tributes

Michael Sellars

November 24, 2010