On Thursday, November 1, 2018, James Michael Lovin, known to family and friends as “Mike” passed away at the age of 60.
He was predeceased by his mother, Alice Matney Lovin, and step-son, William Lee (Billy) Henderson. Survivors include his wife, Barbara; father, James C. Lovin; sister, Pam Hill; brother-in-law, Jimmy Hill; niece, Allie Hill; step daughter, Julie Hobby; step grandsons, Christian Hobby, Cameron Hobby, and Daniel Henderson; step great-grandchildren, Grayson and Connor Donnolo-Hobby, and Audrielle Hobby; aunt, Frankie Martin and cousins, Steve Martin, Beth Clarke, and Shawn Martin; aunt, Betty Lovin and cousins, Scott Lovin, Stacy Lovin, and Stuart Lovin; paternal cousins, Will McGinnis and Steve Pennington.
Mike was born on July 17, 1958 in Ashland, KY. He graduated from Brevard High School, and continued on to attend the University of TN, and then received a Bachelors Degree from the University of Kansas. He established his own business, Lovin Photography, doing corporate advertising photography.
On September 1, 2000, Mike married the love of his life, Barbara Partain.
From his high school days on throughout his life, one of Mike’s many talents was being a handyman extraordinaire, who spent countless hours helping family, friends, and anyone in need. He will be remembered for his contagious smile and laugh, as well as his big heart, and kind soul towards everyone he met. When asked how he would like to be remembered by a close friend, he said, “Just that I loved, and was loved”.
We thank God for the gift of his life, and for his last two weeks spent witnessing to, and in love and fellowship with family and friends, as well as the opportunity to say and receive goodbyes.
Mike pursued his interests with a passion. Traveling was at the top of his list, through which he made so many lifelong friendships, both nationally and internationally. Mike’s real abiding passion was his family and friends.
He was an avid mountain/road bicyclist, and a motorcycle and racecar enthusiast. Since the early 1980’s, Mike participated annually in the Lawrence, Kansas eighty mile bicycle tour known as “Octoginta” as a member of “Team Iron”.
As a member of the Peachtree Chapter of the BMW Club, he was a driving instructor at Road Atlanta, and other race tracks around the southeastern United States. Mike further enjoyed the camaraderie with his fellow SCCA Club Racing buddies.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at the Moody-Connolly Funeral Home, 181 South Caldwell St., Brevard, NC 28712.
A celebration service of Mike’s life will be on Thursday, November 8, 2018, beginning at 2:00 PM in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, 325 North Broad St., Brevard, NC 28712. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the chapel at the same location.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to www.worldvision.org, an organization that Mike has supported for over thirty years.
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home, 181 S. Caldwell St., Brevard, NC 28712.
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