J. Mike Michael Carreker

James Michael (Mike) Carreker, 66, joined the Lord on Tuesday, March 4th. He passed at home, surrounded by family, after a courageous year-long battle with cancer. Born April 6, 1947, in Macon, GA, to James and Helen Carreker, Mike attended Lanier High School, graduating in 1965. He received an associate’s degree in Science from Middle Georgia College in 1967, but was drafted while attending the University of Georgia and decided to enlist in the Air Force in 1970. After basic training, he was assigned to Ellington Air Force Base in Houston, Texas. While there, he met Bonny McCauley and they were married April 7, 1972. In January of 1973, they moved back to Georgia where he re-entered the University of Georgia and graduated with a degree in Accounting in August 1975. In July 1976, Mike began working with Coastal EMC in Midway, GA, and he and Bonny moved to Hinesville in the summer of 1977. While at Coastal EMC, he was the “chief” financial officer and later became VP of Finance. Mike worked at Coastal EMC for 37 years and was known as “Mr. C”. His time there was very special and he always felt that those he worked with were family. He retired on January 1, 2014. Mike was a dedicated son and brother. He was raised on a dairy farm in Lizella, GA, where he spent many years working on the farm and fishing at the pond. His greatest passion was “ball”. As a young man, he played a lot of softball, and while in college, his “Georgia Motors” team won several city and district championships. He loved baseball and football, especially the Atlanta Braves and Georgia Bulldogs! His love of the game guided him to coach at the Liberty County Recreation Department. He coached girls t-ball for 2 years. He and Ronny Mobley coached the boys Coca-Cola baseball team from 1990 to 1995. Their team won the league championship every year and went to district playoffs. After coaching, Mike decided to help the community in another way and served on the Liberty County Rec Department board for 21 years! Being with family and friends was very important to him. Whether he was on the farm, at the beach, celebrating birthdays, taking special trips or simply watching football games and having time with his grandchildren, he was always there. He was devoted to his family and loved being a “Papa”. He was predeceased by his father, James C. Carreker, two brothers-in-law, Dennis and Glenn McCauley, sister-in-law, Cynthia Reed and nephew, Keith McCauley. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 42 years, Bonny McCauley Carreker; daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer and Rich Powell of Atlanta and Ashley and Matt Futch of Valdosta; mother, Helen Floyd Carreker of Lizella, GA.; one sister, Debbie Harville (Jeff) of Lizella; two brothers Steven Carreker (Sherri) of Beaverton, OR, and Danny Carreker (Tina) of Lizella; sister-in-law, Pat Holder of Austin, TX; brothers-in-law, Frank McCauley of Galliano, LA, Tom Reed of Rockport, TX; one uncle, Milton Branch of Macon, GA; one aunt, Carol Carreker of Smyrna, GA; four precious grandchildren, Hayden and Riley Futch, Ansley and Brooks Powell; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Sunday, at Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel. Funeral Service will be 11 a.m. Monday at St. Stephen First Martyr Catholic Church in Hinesville, with Father Adam Kasela officiating. Graveside Service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Midway Baptist Church Cemetery in Lizella, GA. Pallbearers will be Buster Strickland, Dr. Bill Wege, Leroy Strickland, Sam Alexander, Jerry Routh, and Larry Golden. Honorary pallbearers will be current and retired employees of Coastal EMC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Midway Baptist Church, 1200 Moseley Road, Lizella, Ga. 31052; St. Stephen Catholic Church, 399 Woodland Avenue, Hinesville, GA, 31313, or the Liberty County Recreation Department, 607 Oglethorpe Hwy, Hinesville, GA 31313. Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.carteroglethorpe.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of J. Mike Michael Carreker, please visit our flower store.