Michael M Kleinfelter

Michael M. Kleinfelter was born February 24, 1951 in Baltimore, MD to Melvin J. and Margaret Williams Kleinfelter. Mike, as he was affectionately called, graduated from Goldsboro High School in North Carolina and then attended North Carolina State University in Raleigh. While he was in college he met and married his wife Peggy Jean Gurley of Mt. Olive. He went on to graduate from NCSU in 1975 with a Master's Degree in Engineering. He was first employed by Monsanto Corp. in Huntsville, AL and Fayetteville, NC. He then began working for Michelin in Greenville, SC where he traveled extensively with trips to France, China, Canada, Mexico, and other locations. He took pride in working on projects that led to enhanced quality and safety. He also enjoyed mentoring co-op students and new employees. Mike held several quality certifications and was a member and strong supporter of ASQ. Mike retired from Michelin this year on June 1st after 35 years.

After retirement, Mike embraced a new part-time career at Duncan's Home Center and began volunteering at Second Chance Thrift Shop. He welcomed learning new skills and especially enjoyed talking with people and making new friends.

Mike's career was a big part of his life but fatherhood was his greatest passion. He found joy in being involved with Laura and Adam's activities growing up. He coached little league, helped with school projects and field trips, and took the kids to the duck pond for fishing. He also helped their neighborhood friend with science projects; to the point some even called him Mr. MacGyver. His hobbies included wood-working, photography, grilling out, and reading. Mike also thrived on family vacations over the years, always inviting Laura and Adam's friends to go with them. In addition, Mike spent many hours playing on the beach with his nieces and nephews, Amber Kleinfelter, Amy Baker, Katherine Mitchell, Chris Gurley, Amanda Creech, Amy Robinson, and Jordan Gurley. Mike would help them build sand castles and teach them to swim and he loved every minute of it. He had a way of seeing life through a child's eyes and they loved him for the attention he gave them. He also developed a special bond with his great-nephew Tyler Kleinfelter. He was not only a wonderful father to Laura and Adam, but strove to fill that gap in the lives of children who either did not have a father or a good role model to pattern their lives after.

In addition to his parents and his grandmother, Anna Elizabeth Kleinfelter, who helped raised him, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, A.D. Gurley, and brother-in-law, Tony Ballew. Mike is survived by his wife Peggy, a daughter and son-in-law, Laura Elizabeth and R.J. Riemensnider of Greer, a son and daughter-in-law, Adam Michael and Brooke Kleinfelter of Greenville, and three grandchildren, Mollie, Cooper, and Robert. He also leaves behind a sister, Mary Ann Kleinfelter and her husband Bobby Cardona of Millford, brother Mark Kleinfelter and Stephanie English of Raleigh, mother-in-law Mollie Gurley of Mt. Olive, whom he though of as a second mother, brother-in-law, John Gurley and his wife Barbie, sisters-in-law Liz Mitchell and Alice Ballew, and special friends Larry and Linda Wargel.

Both in his career and his family life, Mike leaves a legacy of always giving of himself to make life better for others.