Roy Duane Michael, “Coach”/”Punk”, age 75, of Farmington, WV passed away on Monday, April 3, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on February 1, 1948, to the late Jennings Roy Michael and Betty Vivian Michael.
Roy graduated from Rivesville High School in 1966 and went on to earn a bachelor's degree at Fairmont State University, where he also played football. He also earned a master’s degree from West Virginia University. He began his career at Mannington High School in 1971. He loved being an educator for over 33 years at both Mannington and North Marion High School where he retired in 2003. Throughout his career he coached track and then football and wrestling for most of his career and he was extremely proud to be a member of the Woodcutters, with some of the finest gentlemen he had the pleasure of knowing.
Roy was a veteran of Desert Storm, serving honorably in the United States Army for over 30 years. He was also a member of the BPO Elks No. 388 and the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 1344 in Mannington. After retirement he enjoyed gardening, maintaining his farm, golfing with his dear friends, attending and watching sporting events, and spending time with his extended family and friends. Roy counted himself lucky to marry the love of his life and while he and Janis had many blessings, including many cherished friends, neighbors, and community, he was most proud of his grandchildren and truly enjoyed every minute he was able to spend with them.
Roy is survived by his wife of 54 years, Janis Criado Michael, a son, John Jennings “Jay” (Nikki) Michael of Farmington, two daughters, Michele (Will) Hutchinson of Bridgeport, Misti (Dave) Woldemikael of Fairmont, six grandchildren, Gage Michael, Gavin Michael, Gene Hutchinson, Anna Hutchinson, Ermias Woldemikael, Ezekiel “Zeke” Woldemikael, a sister Jenny (Andre) Lopez of CA, one brother-in-law Michael (Betsy) Criado, one sister-in-law Cheryl Offutt of PA, treasured uncles Jack Michael of PA, Richard “Dick” (Lynn) Michael, and William “Bub” Walker, adored aunts Sally Riley of AZ, and Donna (Bobby) Morris, along with numerous loved cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family members.
In addition to his parents, Roy was preceded in death by his grandparents Roy Jennings Michael and Ortolo Texie Tennant Michael, his in-laws John Criado, Anna (Muto) Criado, and Ted Offutt, and his beloved uncles and aunts, David Michael, Ronald Michael, John Michael, Betty Osborn, Bonnie Hood, Nancy Michael, and Vonda Sue Walker.
Visitation will be held at Masters Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Mannington, WV 26582 on Tuesday, April 11th from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm with a Celebration of Life ceremony beginning at 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Roy Michael may be directed to support general cancer research at the John Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, P.O. Box 49143, Baltimore, MD 21297-9143 or at hopkinscancer.org.
The family wishes to express their sincerest gratitude to John Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Amedisys Home Health Care, the close friends who took the time to transport him to his appointments and visit with him often, and all those who have reached out with their sincerest support and prayers for the family.
Condolences
Our deepest condolences to the Michael family.
RIP, Coach
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. Marion County Senior Citizens.
This is a true trailblazer to teaching young men how to work hard, be humble and to care for others. Coach Michael loves each and everyone he touched, coached or drove to success. I am blessed to have been able to spend 4 years learning from such an incredible man. I still apply learnings from him to this day. He was a coach for life. God Bless Coach Michael!
Sorry to hear about Coach Michael. I always had high respect for him as a person and a coach.
Paul Jackson
Former Wrestling Coach Parkersburg South
Sending our love & sympathy to Coach Michael’s family. Our times spent with Roy & his family will forever put a smile on our faces. God bless you all
sorry to hear about Coach Micheal, he was an excellent coach and teacher, consolesations to his wife and family
Sad news. This is Punk's first cousin, originally from Rivesville, WV.
Thoughts and prayers for the family! I had the pleasure/ honor of meeting Roy through sports, as an athlete in high school playing against his football teams or wrestling teams I could not help be impressed by how well they were coached. As an adult and becoming a coach myself, I became even more impressed with Roy the man! During my entire coaching tenure and even to this day I have always looked as Roy as example of how to conduct oneself not only in sporting venues but in life! I believe that anyone whom spent time with Coach Roy is in someway a better person for it! Thank you Coach!
To the family of Roy, you have mine and Marilyn’s deepest sympathy! Roy was a dear friend and a great man!
To the Michael family, sorry for your lose, ‘Coach touched many of our lives in many ways, he will always be the only guy I will know as ‘Coach’.
So sorry for your loss. Roy was a very respected man. May God Bless you and keep you close during this most difficult time.
Know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss. Praying for your family.
I have so many fond memories of Coach Michael. Too many to even begin listing here. It was Coach that fueled my love for football and wrestling. I wish the family all my love and I am sending my thoughts and prayers to his family and to those who care so deeply for him. RIP Coach.
Roy was a great man and coach RIP!
Janis and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Punk was a wonderful person. He was always kind and was a great help to me when I was coaching at North. All my children respected and loved him as a coach and teacher. My prayers are with you and the family.
Mrs. Janis Michael and family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. To all who followed Coach Michael into the Coaching profession, He was what we all strived to become... A great Teacher , great Coach and most importantly ...A great Person.
May God Bless you and your family
Coach Mike Skinner
To the Michael Family I want to express my deepest condolences to you in the passing of Coach. I remember him as good hearted person and good educator he is will always be remembered that way. Coach go rest high on that mountain.
My sincerest condolences and heartfelt love to the family of Roy Michael. Both Roy and Janis were teaching colleagues of mine when I began teaching at Mannington Middle in 1979 and when North Marion High School opened. I taught Roy's wonderful children and am deeply saddened by Roy's passing. However, his legacy lives on in the Michael family, the Husky family and the Gator family. Our county is so much richer having had Roy Michael in it, touching so many lives over the years. God's peace and blessing to all of you. Rest in the peace of the Risen Lord, Coach Michael. You will be missed but always remembered.
Punk,
Tell my Mom and the rest of the family hi for me when you all get together.
My condolences and prayers for the entire Michael family.
Love,
Brad