Michael Jerry "Tuffy" Waites

Mr. Michael Jerry “Tuffy” Waites, 56, of Opelika, AL passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025 peacefully at his home.

A funeral service will be held 2:00 pm EST Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix City, AL. Interment will be held 2:30 pm EST Thursday, August 7, 2025 at Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Milledgeville, GA. The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm, one hour prior to the service, at the funeral home.

Mr. Waites was born in Atlanta, GA on August 1, 1968, son of the late Robert Jerry Waites and Runell Simpson Keith. He worked for most of his career as a diesel mechanic and was currently employed at Evergreen Siteworks. Mr. Waites enjoyed four wheelers, lifted trucks and being on the water. Above all, he loved spending time with his family, especially the grandchildren.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Johnson and a bonus father, David Embry

Mr. Waites is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Jan McElhaney Waites; daughters, Tiffany Waites Williams (Mitchell) and Lauren McElhaney (Josh); a son, Nickolas Waites-Istre; a bonus mother, Linda Embry; sisters, Charlene Johnson, Donna Denmark (Gary), Michelle Waites and Leanne Gomes (Zeff); a brother, Chris Embry; grandchildren, Emma, Macy, Ava, Brantley, Emily, Zack, Kayden, Autumn and Aubrey; several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org