Percy Lee "Mike" Host Jr.

1926 - 2011

BORN

1926

DIED

2011

Percy Host Obituary

Mike Host, Jr.
Portsmouth - Percy Lee "Mike" Host, Jr., 85, a native of Portsmouth, passed away November 9, 2011. To his family, Mike was a beloved husband, son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather. To those who knew him well he was a true friend, a doer who would rather build or fix something than talk about it, often of few words but with a sharp sense of humor and never bashful about expressing his opinion, and handyman to the neighborhood.
After serving in the U. S. Navy during World War II Mike became a professional firefighter for the City of Portsmouth, retiring in 1983 at the rank of Captain after 35 years of service. He was a long time member of the Ambassador Club of Portsmouth, which he loved, and which voted him its most valuable member on four separate occasions.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Phyllis Esleeck Host; a son, Philip Michael Host of Suffolk; four grandchildren, Mallory, Ainsley, and Kinsey Host, and Kelly Parsons; and a great granddaughter, Avery Bowen.
A graveside funeral will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 12 at Olive Branch Cemetery by the Rev. Terry Taylor. The family will receive friends on Friday Nov. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Foster Funeral Home, Portsmouth. Memorial donations may be made to Port Norfolk Baptist Church. Condolences may be registered at www.bwfosterfuneralhome.com.

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Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Nov. 11, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Percy Host

19 Entries

Joseph Cooper

November 5, 2019

Thought the world of my Capt...r.i.p.

Ashley Marie Stallings

November 14, 2011

Mr. Mike was the grandaddy I never had. I grew up with mr. Mike and miss phyliss is what we called them, for 25 years as my neighbors. My dads dad passed a year before we were born. "We" being my twin sister Blair. And my moms dad died when we were babies pretty much. Every time I had any boy problems or concerns mr. Mike would set me straight. I love them as much as my blood. I love you miss. Phyliss and just think Mr. Mike and bonona are hanging out. I will miss him more than I can explain. I am so lucky to have known him so well. I love you Mr. Mike.

David Stallings

November 13, 2011

Phyllis / Mike... --- There was not a better man in this world than Mr. Mike... --- I grew up next door to Mike Host from the time I was 3 years old to after my 18th. birthday and learned much about being a good man and a good father from watching my own Dad and Mike raise a neighborhood full of boys and they kept their eyes and ears on us. Mike was a man who lived his life to help anyone who needed it and showed that to all of us who were around him. After my Dad died in 1985, Mike took care of my mother's every need, anytime, anything she needed, he did. He did it because that is who he was and he knew my Dad who have done the same for Mrs. Phyllis if the situation was reversed. My family has lived next door to the Host family since 1955. They are a large part of my childhood and Mr. Mike will always be a cornerstone of my early life education. A great man who defined what a true "neighbor" is. He set the standard for a man who took care of his family, loved his wife and son and made an impact on all who were lucky enough to be close to him. My deepest condolences to Phyllis and Mike and family from my brother and his family and my family. --- An honest man is hard to find, Mike Host was that and much more... David Johnston Stallings

Mallory Host

November 13, 2011

In honor of Percy Lee Host aka Mike, Bubba, & Papa.

Mallory Host

November 13, 2011

My Papa was a good man. I love him with all of my heart and so does my daughter. I always enjoyed my Papa's sense of humor. I could always count on him for a laugh. I could also always count on him to tell it like it was. He was never afraid to say exactly what he thought. He was always willing to help people, especially his family. Even as his health declined, he did everything he could possibly do to help others. My Papa had a heart of gold. And he will be in my heart forever. I will never forget all the great times, and I will never forget what he stood for. I hope my father, my grandmother, my sisters, and my daughter can find comfort in their fond memories of Papa.

"For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity." ~William Penn

November 12, 2011

The absolute best times in my life was being stationed on Jamestown Ave. with Captain Host. No words can express what a fine person he was ...Bless the Host family... Eddie Cooper

Mike Host

November 11, 2011

Year after year my Pop gave his time and his sweat to help others, for no other reason than that was who he was. He expressed his love and friendship through deeds, not words. It was simple - if you needed something done, he did it. Over the span of his lifetime he constructed a monument of good deeds, one brick at a time. He will be missed by many, but by none more Mom and me.

"Real worth requires no interpreter. Its everyday deeds form its emblem." - Nicholas Chamfort

November 11, 2011

80th Birthday Party

November 11, 2011

Mike was a great friend to me when Iwould come over to visit and do work for my aunt Tell next door. I will miss him coming over and helping me. God bless all of you. Darron Conner