Michael Osborne "Mike" Revels

1957 - 2024

Michael Osborne "Mike" Revels, 67, of East Palatka left this world unexpectedly on Monday, December 2, 2024.
Mike was born in Palatka, Florida, on July 11, 1957, to William J. Revels Jr. and Jacquelin "Jackie" Revels. Raised most of his young life on the banks of the St. Johns River, he developed a love for all things outdoors and made friends that have stayed with him his entire life. He attended Palatka South High School, where he was a member of the football team, Future Farmers of America, and graduated in 1975. He continued his studies in agribusiness at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, GA.
Mike began his lifetime career as a boy working on the family farm along side his father and brothers. Together they would build a successful farming business that ranged from south Florida to South Carolina. Later, in 1990, Mike made the decision to move from the family business and start his own potato farm, Mike Revels Farms, in San Mateo, Florida. He celebrated his first successful crop in 1991 and continued to build and expand his farming operation for more than 30 years. Around 2 years ago, he semi-retired, but continued to counsel and support his son, Michael, and his wife, Whitney, as they took over the potato farming operation. One of his proudest accomplishments was watching his wife, Wendy, become a successful pepper farmer. He was instrumental in assisting her grow this business. Mike truly was an expert in his field and many farmers in our region would look to him for advice and suggestions to improve their farming operations.
Mike will be remembered for his love of adventure. He never shied away from trying something new or participating in some silly activity with his children and grandchildren. Mike always wanted others to experience what he experienced and loved to take friends and family on his many adventures. He was an avid fisherman and enthusiastically waited for red snapper season each year. For years, he traveled to the Florida Keys where he scuba dived for lobster and grouper. Hunting was also a passion for him. He has hunted all over the United States and even in parts of Canada. He has been a member of Dinner Island Hunting Club for 43 years and is also a member of God's Country Hunting Club and Roy Road Hunting Club. Recently, his favorite hunting spots were in Georgia and in Kentucky where he loved to take close family and friends to snag a trophy buck.
If you knew Mike, then you knew he was a devout Gator fan. He did a lot of coaching from the stands of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and loved to chat with others about the Gators. In the last few years, he and his family had a bucket list item to watch the Gators play football in every SEC stadium. He loved any sport the Gators played and attended not just football games, but also loved basketball, softball, baseball, and more.
Mike loved God and was a devoted family man. His best days were spent with those whom he loved. He never met a kid he didn't like and found great joy spending time with his 7 grandchildren and great-grandchild. He loved gatherings with his extended family, including his brothers, their children, his many cousins and their families. He was always ready for a family vacation, but also loved to spend time just hanging out with his wife and kids. Mike was a member of Trinity Baptist Church and was a faithful servant. He wanted everyone to feel God's love and be saved.
Mike was a supporter of our community. He was always willing to help a cause. He loved to support youth at the Putnam County Fair, Future Farmers of America, and in various sports all over the county.  If an organization asked him for support, he was always eager to give it.
Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Jacquelin Hoster Revels; and his mother-in-law, Leah Rosenburg. He was also preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Amy Sumara Blackwell.
Mike is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 16 years, Wendy Sumara Revels. He is survived by his father, William Jennings "Rev" Revels Jr. (Brenda) and his father-in-law, Johnny Sumara (Jane). His children, Amanda Revels Burney (Jack), Maeghan Revels Morris (Brandon), Michael Revels Jr. (Whitney), Allyson Futch (Landon), and MacKenzie Revels. His grandchildren, Jacob Burney (Maegan), Natalie Burney, Madyson Morris, Mason Morris, Kendal Revels, Raegan Revels, and Griffin Revels, and one great-grandchild, Jackson Burney. He is also survived by his dearly loved brothers and brother-in-law, Billy Revels, Ronnie Revels (Kim), Tony Revels (Tracy), Jon Revels (Jeni), Trenton Carnes (Kaylee), and Johnny Sumara (Michelle). He is survived by his aunts, many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and a special friend, Wayne Ricks.
Services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Putnam County Fairgrounds with Pastor Tim Hall and Pastor Willie McKinnon officiating. Burial will follow at Palatka Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends on Monday, December 9, 2024, from 5–7 p.m. at Johnson-Overturf Chapel. Flowers are gratefully accepted, or memorial donations may be made to Trinity Baptist Church for the Barnes Scholarship Fund, 5021 Silver Lake Drive, Palatka, FL 32177.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Mike's Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.