Michael Wilbur Mims

Michael was born on April 22,1952, to Harold and Eula Mims, in Charleston, SC. He grew up in

North Charleston and was a graduate of North Charleston High School- Class of 1970 and Furman

University- Class of 1974. Michael earned a Juris Doctor of Law from the University of South

Carolina School of Law in 1977.

Michael was an excellent student and participated in many extracurricular activities during his four

years at North Charleston High School. He was in the marching band and was Drum Major in his

senior year. He was President of the Debate Team, a member of the Key Club and the Young

Democrats, on the Student Council, and was on the staff of both the Blue Devil newspaper and the

Latin newspaper. Michael was a dedicated member of DeMolay and said the principles and

leadership skills he learned in the organization stayed with him for life. One of his most memorable

high school experiences was a trip to Honduras on a Chiquita Banana container ship with his good

friend Dick Coyle. He had many great memories of spending time with his friends at the Oaks

Country Club and at the family beach house on the Isle of Palms.

While Michael was at Furman University, he was active in campus government. In 1972 he was a

founding member of South Carolina Public Interest Research Group (SCPIRG). His primary project

with SCPRIG was studying the manufacturing pollution of Greenville’s Reedy River. The group

documented pollution violations and sponsored press releases about the Reedy River. Through his

work with SCPRIG, Michael met and formed a friendship with Dick Riley, a Furman alumnus, who

was a state Senator from Greenville at the time. Michael attended the National Democratic

Convention in 1972 as a Young Democrat representative.

In 1978, after graduating from law school, Michael formed a law practice with partners Bobby

Kinard and Keith Kornahrens. During this time, he was also very involved in local and state politics.

He was a member of Dick Riley’s campaign team in 1978 when Riley was elected Governor.

Michael was appointed to a two-year term on the South Carolina Board of Health and

Environmental Control (DHEC) and was appointed to the Charleston County Aviation Authority

Board by Governor Riley. In 1982, he was elected by the Charleston County Legislative Delegation

to serve as a Magistrate Judge. Michael was also a part of a special delegation from South Carolina

that traveled to Israel with Governor Riley where they met with notable government officials,

attended state dinners and had private tours of significant places all over the country.

In 1985 Michael began working with his father in the family businesses, Mims Amusement

Company and Palmetto State Distributing. In 1991 he moved to the Columbia area and started his

own company, Palmetto Games. He was very involved with SCCOA, the South Carolina Coin

Operators Association serving as President for three years. During this time Michael worked

tirelessly on legislative efforts related to the coin op industry. He was also a member of AMOA, a

national trade association and served on their Board of Directors for two years. Michael was a true

innovator in the industry and created a new business model that was followed by many other

amusement operators in South Carolina

In 1993 Michael bought his home on Amenity Island in Chapin, SC. He was always excited to tell

people he lived on an island in the lake. He knew it was a great place for his family. He enjoyed

boating on Lake Murray, grilling on the patio, and was well known for his very impressive 4th of July

fireworks displays. In 2008 Michael was the driving force of the “Great Schools ‘08” campaign

which resulted in the passage of a much-needed school bond referendum in Lexington/Richland

School District 5.

In 2014 Michael took the helm of Mims Amusement and bought a condo on Daniel Island. He split

his time between Charleston and Chapin for several years before finally returning to the

Lowcountry for good. He loved life on Daniel Island and took full advantage of all the walking trails

with his faithful companion, Gus, an adorable rescue pup adopted by the family in 2018. Michael

retired in 2022.

Michael loved to travel. In his younger days he was an avid backpacker and often shared fun

stories about hiking in the mountains of North and South Carolina and other more adventurous

destinations including Badlands, South Dakota. There were many amazing family trips over the

years-skiing in Vail, cruises to the Caribbean, and a trip to Mexico. He loved taking his boys to major

sports events including a few NBA playoff games and a Formula One Race. He especially enjoyed

traveling to other countries and always encouraged everyone to see the world. He traveled to

China, Israel and many European countries. His last big adventure was a trip to Africa in 2017. He

visited South Africa, Zimbabwe, and spent a week on safari in Botswana. Michael said it was

absolutely the trip of a lifetime.

Michael is survived by Debra Mims, former wife and forever friend, his four children, Lauren (Jeff)

Sawyer, Christin Mims, Mason Mims, and Jonathan Kidd, grandchildren Chloe (Michael) Matthews,

Lily Sawyer, and sisters Susie Mims and Terri Hutto. He was predeceased by both of his parents

and his brother Kenneth Mims.

Michael lived life to the fullest and will be missed by his family, friends and neighbors.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Lowcountry Food Bank or the Charleston Animal

Society.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Savannah Grace in Mount Pleasant for taking such good care of Michael for the last 5 months and to the staff at Agape Lowcountry Hospice House for providing comfort and compassion in his final days. 

A celebration of life for Michael will be held Friday, June 6, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Carolina Funeral Home, 7113 Rivers Ave., North Charleston, SC 29406 followed by a visitation from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.