MARTINEZ, Ga. - Michael John Jeffers, of Martinez, GA, born June 17, 1945 in San Francisco, CA, passed away on Friday evening, May 8, 2009 after an extended illness, surrounded by his family and friends at home. He was beloved by all and will be sorely missed. He was the son of the late John Paul Warland Jeffers and Margaret Foster Jeffers. Mr. Jeffers is survived by his wife of 31 years, Melinda McCormick Jeffers; two sons, John-Paul McCormick (Cory) Jeffers, 23, and David Lee (Davy) Jeffers, 18, of Martinez; and a daughter, Heidi Jeffers Thibodeau, 40, of Summerville, SC. In addition, Mr. Jeffers is survived by two sisters, Patricia Jeffers Walters of Carrollton, TX and Mary Anna Jeffers Kruse of Goldendale, WA; and one brother, Daniel F. Jeffers of Victorville, CA. His other relatives include two sisters-in-law, Anne McCormick Snider of Martinez and Penny Jeffers of Victorville, and four brothers-in-law, Stephen P. Snider of Martinez, John E. McCormick IV of Hephzibah, Richard Walters of Carrollton, and Dennis Kruse of Goldendale, one son-in-law, Bryan Thibodeau of Summerville, and three grandchildren, Katie Lynne, Matthew and Morgan. Numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive Mr. Jeffers. Having been born and raised in California, Mr. Jeffers enjoyed his early years as a surfer and lifeguard, graduating from Point Loma High School in 1963. He continued his education at Grossmont College in El Cajon, CA, earning an Associate Degree in 1973, and later a Bachelors Degree with high honors in Industrial Arts from San Diego State University in San Diego, CA in 1975. After working for several years as a rehabilitation therapist for the Veterans Administration hospital, Mr. Jeffers decided to pursue a career in education, earning his teaching certificate, plus a Masters Degree in Administration and Supervision from Augusta State University in 1990, and a Specialist Degree in Occupational Studies from The University of Georgia in 1996, where he also won the Kappa Delta Pi Scholarship for Excellence. At the time, Mr. Jeffers was first stricken with illness; he was finishing his doctoral dissertation in curriculum studies at Georgia Southern University, having completed all coursework with a 4.0 average. Mr. Jeffers served in the United States Air Force from 1963-1967, as a tactical missile launch specialist and systems analyst on the Minuteman ICBM, until he was honorably discharged. He began his teaching career in Columbia County in 1981 at Evans Middle School, and then moved on to Richmond County at both Westside High School and Hephzibah Middle School, teaching shop in his beginning years, and later technology education, until his retirement in 2003. Mr. Jeffers also taught several construction classes at both Aiken Technical College and Augusta Technical College as an adjunct instructor. Mr. Jeffers was a past member of the American Vocational Association, the International Technology Association, the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, Phi Delta Kappa, and Omicron Tau Theta. He was also an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church USA; one of his most cherished accomplishments including helping to wire the pipe organ of Covenant Presbyterian Church. He loved the Lord and sought every opportunity to serve His Will. Pallbearers include Mr. Jeffers' youngest son, David, his caregiver, William H. Van Wyck III, his nephews, Stephen S. Snider II and John E. Snider, and friends, Jimmy Ayers and Frank Carstarphen. The funeral will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at Elliott Sons Funeral Home Columbia Road Chapel with a graveside service to follow at Westover Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. on Tuesday, Mary 12, 2009 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to The ALS Association, Development Dept., 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250, Calabasco Hills, CA 31301, or online at www.als.org . Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com

The Augusta Chronicle-May 11, 2009