James Michael Joiner

James Michael "Mike" Joiner passed away on February 19, 2025, in Orlando, FL at the age of 74, after a valiant fight with skin cancer. Mike was born in Andalusia, AL on July 19, 1950; but his childhood and early life was spent in Baker, FL in the panhandle. Mike excelled in school, skipped 2 grades and graduated from Baker high school in 1967. He lettered in 4 sports: baseball, football, basketball and track. He was an avid reader his entire life and many of his elementary teachers encouraged him to read whatever book he wanted to from the school library. He read most of them before reaching high school. Further, he hunted, fished and played the piano. His uncle taught him to play golf.
Mike attended Florida State University on an Academic scholarship. He graduated in 1971 with a major in geology and minors in History, Languages and Math. He and Donna were married May 1, 1970 (54 plus years). They moved to Orlando after Mike graduated from FSU. Mike was a land surveyor for 45 years: starting from the lowest level (rodman), became a certified professional land surveyor in 1982, worked for several engineering firms in Orlando, ending his career as the Turnpike Surveyor for the FL Turnpike Authority.
Mike loved sports his whole life. He played everything and was pretty good at most everything. From high school athlete to intramural athlete at FMU to coaching little league and Pop Warner football, family tennis tournaments, basketball and softball. Then age level baseball from his 30's to his 60's and throughout it all, golf. He coached Donnie and Varick in both little league and Pop Warner. One of his favorite times was playing baseball with Donnie in the Manager's/Coach's game at Union Park little league. He participated in Roy Hobbs over 30 and over 40 men's baseball for a little more than 20 years and was on the World Series Championship team in 1999. He learned how to ski in his 30's and loved it. He wanted to be the first up the chair life in the morning and the last one down the hill in the evening. He and Varick were ski partners. We skied many times over the years, and it was always with family. Other family events included hot dog cookouts in the backyard and yearly summer vacations to visit U.S. historical sites, including almost every Civil War battlefield and some Revolutionary battle sites. We also made it a point to see 23 out of 30 professional baseball stadiums, some more than once, and a few minor league stadiums in FL and TX.
Mike loved to read and also became a writer. He wrote stories for his dad, mom, brother and 2 of his grandsons. He also wrote short stories and dabbles in poetry. His stories spanned genres from historical fiction to medieval fantasy. He wrote music as well and wrote a song for Mark and Laurie's wedding. He played the piano at many family celebrations over the years.
Mike lived life to the fullest. He was driven to be the best he could possibly be at everything he did. he was one of the best "practicers" ever. During his baseball years, we often went to high school baseball fields as a family so he could practice hitting. When the schools closed access to the fields, we switched to wiffle balls in the backyard with Donna or Donnie pitching. Every so often, Craig would catch one of the hit balls and that was a major celebration. He never missed a game because of an injury. He would just wrap the injury and keep on playing. "It just hurts", he would say. Another saying of his was "Are you hurt or injured?" If it just hurts, you keep going. This belief helped him deal with his 20-year cancer fight.
Mike is survived by his wife, Donna and their 3 sons and 2 surrogate sons: James Donald Joiner (Lisa), Craig Edward Joiner, Varick Clayton Joiner (Ivana), Colten Adam Yahn (Hailey) and Connor Clayton Yahn (Megan). He has 5 grandchildren: Armando Josue Cruz (Lis), James Alexander Joiner, Jordan Bryce Joiner, Lori Hersh Lebo and Gabriel Martin Lebo. Not only was Mike blessed with a large, extended family on both sides, but he was blessed with a good life, and he enjoyed it all.
In lieu of flowers, please consider one of 2 donations: 1) St. Jude’s because mike would want to continue to help fight cancer, and/or 2) Maitland Presbyterian Church Bell Choir refurbishment, because he loved music. Thank you in advance for either donation. His family is grateful for anything you choose to do.