Robert A. Michael, Sr.

DURHAM: Robert A. Michael, Sr. of Durham passed away peacefully and with a joyful heart on Sunday, January 12, 2014 at Duke Regional Hospital.Robert worked for many years with Carolina Block Company and Adams Concrete, in the evenings drew architectural plans for many Durham homes and businesses, and was a true and trusted friend to everyone he met.Mr. Michael, raised in The Children's Home in Winston-Salem, was a longtime resident of Durham, and made a happy home with his beloved wife Mickey and his three boys. Robert worked hard, never forgot how to play, and thoroughly enjoyed life with a keen mind and generous heart. In his later years he cared for his wife during her illness and found much joy in being with his family, telling tales of old Durham and his adventures here, watching M*A*S*H reruns and classic cartoons, and collecting auto racing and Piedmont Airlines memorabilia.Robert was preceded in death by wife Mildred "Mickey" Latta Michael, sister Margaret Cook, and daughter-in-law Marcy Mitchell Michael. He is survived by sons Bob Michael and partner Dr. Ronette Kolotkin of Durham, Wayne Michael and wife Carol of Creedmoor, and John Michael of Burlington; a grandson Brandon Michael of Greenville, NC; as well as his twin sister Katherine Transou of Greensboro. He will be missed by all those at his church home, Grace Baptist Church, and his friend and wonderful caretaker of nine years Pam Leftwich of Durham.Graveside service will be held 2 p.m., Wednesday at Maplewood Cemetery. The Rev. Johnny Jones, pastor at Southpoint Community Church in Chocowinity, North Carolina, and chaplain with the North Carolina Highway Patrol, will preside. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service at the cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Durham Nativity School at P.O. Box 3537, Durham, NC 27702, which is located in the Grace Baptist Church building at 1004 N. Mangum Street in Durham. Donations can be made online at http://www.durhamnativity.org. Or donations can be made to the Durham Rescue Mission, PO Box 11368, Durham, NC 27703.