Michael L. Blyler

Michael Leon Blyler passed away on February 28, 2025 at age 66.
Michael was born on August 26, 1958 in Jacksonville, Florida and attended Sherwood Forest Elementary, Highlands Junior High, and Episcopal Senior High School. After graduating, Michael earned both a bachelor's and master's in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he was recognized for developing software for a millimeter-wave project in the Electromagnetics Lab.
A proud Yellow Jacket, Michael continued his research as a systems analyst at the Georgia Tech Research Institute and focused on technologies for environmental monitoring and space exploration. His work, largely funded by NASA and the U.S. Army, included developing advanced sensor systems for mobile robotics and atmospheric turbulence measurement. After nearly two decades, Michael left Georgia Tech and joined Clark Atlanta University's physics department to continue his research with colleagues, and to teach courses in CAU's Earth System Science program.
Michael was a proud "geek"-fluent in German, knowledgeable in Latin, proficient in several programming languages, and excellent in technical writing. Tirelessly inventive and sentimental, he found purpose in salvaging, reworking, and restoring materials. He believed in the utility of most anything, and thus, was the family's go-to fixer. His indomitable memory and fascination for storytelling made him a fitting collector of a variety of western, sci-fi, and fantasy films and memorabilia. His favorites included Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Gilligan's Island, Bonanza, and Gunsmoke. Word games, Sudoku, crosswords, and Jeopardy! were pastimes he especially enjoyed with his wife, Nancy. He was a person who spoke very little, unless prompted on the subjects of history, politics, and technology.
At heart, Michael's observant and reserved nature made him most at ease with animals and the outdoors. Something about him was magnetic to animals-they always found him, followed him, and adored him. His deep appreciation for nature grew from the time he spent in the North Carolina mountains with his family, on the farms his father managed, and studying the night sky. No matter where he was, a telescope, a tool bag, a TV, and a trusty dog were always within reach.
He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, George and Zetta White, and paternal grandparents, George and Clara Blyler; parents, Johnny Blyler and Alice White Blyler; siblings, John, Joy, Jan, and his brother-in-law Bruce Farmer; and mother-in-law, Janet Carter Hill. Michael is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Farmer Blyler; children, John Blyler and Jenna Blyler; siblings, Wayne Blyler (Tamra) and Christine Fietcher; brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, Charles Farmer (Ginger), Sandra Lynch Fazzio (Rick), Keith Farmer, and Diane Farmer; and a host of nephews and nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, and many other family and friends.
A visitation service will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Peeples Event Center (14165 N. Main Street - Building C, Jacksonville, Florida 32218). On Friday, to honor his life and legacy, a graveside service will be held on March 14, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Riverside Memorial Park (7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville Florida 32205). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Michael's honor to the Nassau County Animal Services (https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_2d4e355e-0f36-11ed-be05-02d341daa68d&WidgetId=14336) or through an honorary gift to Georgia Tech (https://myportal.gtf.gatech.edu/donorportal/welcome?referral=gtfSite)