George Michael Herbert

George Michael (Mike) Herbert of Elon, N.C. passed away at the age of 71 on Monday, June 23, 2014, after a brief stay at Clapp?��Ǩ�Ѣs Nursing Center in Pleasant Garden, N.C.

Born Dec. 18, 1942 to Richard Leander Herbert and Jean Kraft Herbert Britt of Portsmouth, Va., Mike was an Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow honor society. In his youth, Mike developed an interest in Native American culture and enjoyed performing in Native American dance competitions ?��Ǩ��� forming many lifelong friends through those activities. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth, Va. in 1961 where he competed on the Varsity Wrestling team and went on to attend Elon College in Elon, N.C. where he was a member of Sigma Mu Sigma Fraternity and served as Vice President of the Student Body. He graduated from college in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts and later participated in the Young Executives Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

After college Mike lived in Virginia Beach, Va. where he deepened relationships with college and local friends, enjoyed surfing, and met his wife. On Feb. 27, 1971, Mike married Marcia Winn Herbert in her hometown of Eden, N.C. and in the summer of 1977 they welcomed their daughter, Alison J. Herbert. Mike had a career with Sun Oil Company from 1966 to 1984 and was a Division Sales Manager in Norfolk, Va. and Boston, Mass. The family then relocated to Virginia Beach, Va. where they lived many years and Mike started a franchise business, serving as Owner and General Manager of Entr?ɬ� Computer Center of Norfolk, Va. until 1988. He later served as Marketing Manager for Electronic Systems, Inc. of Virginia Beach, Va. from 1989 until his retirement.

Mike was an avid fan of University of North Carolina ?��Ǩ?�Tarheel?��Ǩ�� basketball, enjoyed exercising, and was a loyal member of the Rotary Club of Norfolk, Va. where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. Mike was devout in his love for his family and daughter, had spirit for life even in adversity, and was always loyal to friends and communities that meant so much to him.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Marcia Winn Herbert, Elon, N.C.; daughter Alison J. Herbert, Alexandria, Va.; sister Barbara Preece, Nampa, Idaho; mother-in-law Margie Winn, Eden, N.C.; brother-in-law Ronnie Winn, Greensboro, N.C.; and nephews Matthew Preece, Virginia Beach, Va., David Preece, El Paso, Texas, Patrick Winn, Bangkok, Thailand, and John Winn, Kernersville, N.C.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Monumental United Methodist Church, 450 Dinwiddie St., Portsmouth, Va. and will be officiated by Rev. Dabney Walters. The family welcomes visitation at the church immediately following the service. Fair Funeral Home of Eden, N.C. is also assisting the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, N.C. 27215, Hospice & Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, N.C. 27405, or the Parkinson?��Ǩ�Ѣs Disease Foundation at www.pdf.org.