Micheal R. Boyd

Mike Boyd, 72, of Athens, Georgia, passed peacefully on May 21, 2026, surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. His patience, quiet strength, and love for his family were constants in their lives.

Born on August 7, 1953, in Dalton, Georgia, Mike was the son of Robert Boyd and Mary Williams and the brother of Ken, Bob, Diane, Jane, Pat, Frank, Cindy and Gregg.

As a boy, he and his friends—known as the “Barn Boys”—would gather after school and guess what color the mill creek would run as the carpet industry released its dyes into the water. These early days in Dalton shaped his lifelong connection to the carpet and hardwood flooring business.

Professionally, Mike was a respected expert in the floor covering industry. He worked as a district sales manager for Benchmark Carpet in North Carolina, was Manager of Carpet One in Fort Myers and later retired in 2019 from Dalton Carpet One in Athens. Even in retirement, Mike left his mark at the Vintage Brew Café in Monroe, Georgia, where he became locally famous for his exceptional chicken salad. In his final days, he made sure to tell his only son – with his characteristic humor- that his own chicken salad would always be better, but that his son should never stop trying to improve.

Mike served in the United States Air Force as a Sergeant E-4 from 1971 to 1975. He graduated from Kennesaw College in Kennesaw, where he played on the college golf team. An avid golfer his entire life, he achieved three holes-in-one. In 1976, he married the love of his life, Deborah Cunnyngham. Together they raised four children and created a close-knit family that would eventually include nine grandchildren.

Above all, Mike was a devoted patriarch, beloved husband, father, and hands-on grandfather. He taught his grandchildren how to play golf, garden, cook, and helped prepare his youngest grandson for ROTC, teaching him how to properly salute, stand and even how to shine his shoes.

Mike is survived by Deborah; his four children, Farra, Delinah, Keisha, and Christian; daughter-in-law Alyssa; sons-in-law Jeremy and Drew; and grandchildren Vayda, Bella, Cash, Reza, Ansley, Beckham, Chloe, Anouk, and Annabelle. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law Joe.

A private family service will be held at the Chattanooga National Cemetery in Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mike’s memory to Wounded Warrior Project.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.