Abingdon, VA
Thomas Michael "Mike" Ferrell of Abingdon, Virginia passed away in hospice care on July 20, 2023.
Mike was born on October 3rd, 1954, in Bristol, Virginia to parents Robert L. Ferrell and Dorothy Carmichael Ferrell, who both preceded him in death.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a beloved aunt, Mary Carmichael, an uncle, Thomas F. Ferrell, Father-in-law, Herman E. Compton and brother-in-law Joe C. Street.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Rebecca Compton Ferrell, mother-in-law, Irene Compton, as well as children Sarah (Tom) Souter of Charlottesville, and Spencer (Meghin) Ferrell of Charlottesville. He is also survived by his two grandsons, Owen and Reid Souter of Charlottesville, Virginia.
Mike courageously served our country in the United States Army Reserve for 20 years, including an active deployment in Operation Desert Storm. Following deployment, Mike continued to serve in the Army Reserves, and also served as a volunteer upon retirement for the ESGR, helping liaise returning veterans with their civilian employers. In addition to his military service, Mike was widely recognized as an expert in the electrical and heating/cooling business throughout the Abingdon and Tri-Cities region, with industrial boilers being a favorite specialty. He forged many relationships during his 40 plus years within the industry, and enjoyed working in all spaces, from churches, to industrial complexes, to chatting with residents on house calls. Prior to the pandemic, Mike spent decades of free time joyfully serving Abingdon United Methodist Church, wearing many hats over the years, including Sunday School teacher, handbell choir member, and the congregation's most enthusiastic unofficial greeter, to name a few. He also enjoyed amateur photography, rebuilding Bultaco motorcycles, and quiet evenings in his recliner with his dogs, Reny and Reese.
A graveside service to celebrate Mike's life will take place on Sunday, July 23rd at 2:00 P.M. at Forest Hills Memory Gardens in Abingdon, Virginia. Full military honors will be rendered by the Army National Guard. Those planning to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery by 1:45 P.M.
Spencer Ferrell, Tom Souter, Joseph Street, Darius Johnson, Jeremy Sanders and Andy Stockner will be serving as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers to honor Mike, contributions may be made to the Cancer Research Institute (www.cancerresearch.org), or to the Happy Tails Animal Rescue of Washington County (https://htar.org/about.html).
The family extends their utmost gratitude to the Cancer Center on Island Road in Bristol, as well as the many caregivers at Bristol Regional Hospital, Gentiva Hospice, and The Waters.
Frost Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the Ferrell family.