Firstborn child of Clarence George and Yoshie T. Harding, George Michael (Mike) Harding was born in Yokohama Japan. At six weeks old, he made the journey with his parents to the United States where he went on to live an amazing and fulfilling life. Mike spent his earliest years moving to various military bases as his father served our country as a Marine. The family finally settled in Greensboro where Mike graduated from Southern Guilford High School. Following high school, Mike enlisted and served in the United States Army and upon completion of duty, he returned back home to attend and graduate from UNCG where he earned a BS in Accounting with a minor in Economics.
Mike’s father met his future bride and mother to his five children while serving a tour of duty in Japan. February 11, 2019 will mark the 60th anniversary of the day Yoshie stepped onto the dock in San Francisco after disembarking the ship that carried them here with Mike in her arms. As a child, and being the oldest, Mike often stepped in to help his mother while his father was serving overseas. His mother came to the US speaking very little English. Yoshie taught herself to speak English very early on. Mike took on the responsibility of being the first born son to task. This holds an important place in Japanese family culture. As the family grew, he was looked to serve as the man of the house while his father was away. From the very beginning, Yoshie and Michael had that special bond. It could be said that in a way, they grew up together here in America. As a boy, he helped her with all the chores life demands in a household full of kids. He helped her protect, nurture and teach his brothers and sister in the ways only the oldest brother can. Each of his siblings have their own memories and specific things they learned from Mike. All of these things are important parts of the story that helped mold Mike into the man we all loved.
Mike had many hobbies and causes he was passionate about. Golf was one of his favorites. He was also an avid Carolina Panthers football fan. In addition to his love for sports, he had an appreciation for things of beauty. Mike was a talented artist, something he inherited from his mother. What’s most important to note is the impact he made on the many lives he touched. A very important part of Mike’s life for over the last decade was his love for beach music and his Shag family. Being a person who believed he had no rhythm or moves, he went from “I don’t dance” to “I’ll try it”. The songs and the music were what first attracted him to shag. One day he decided to take shag lessons. Before long he was hooked and even became a member of The Triad Dance Team and later on, an instructor. This turned into him frequenting various venues that host shag events and one day he struck up a conversation with Merle Augustine at The Arcade. Before he knew it, Merle said “watch this while I take a break”, and so it began. After being left in control, Mike had no choice but to become a DJ. He loved seeing the dance floor full and everyone having a great time. He always asked for your requests and made sure your songs were played and enjoyed pulling some of you ladies onto the floor for a dance. He felt blessed by all of the great personal relationships he made with people from every shag club and event he DJ’d. It is evident to the family through all of the outpouring of love, and support online that Mike was loved every bit as much as he loved all of you and the shag culture. We are grateful for all of your messages, memories, stories, photos, and condolences and find so much comfort and pride in seeing just how beloved he was.
Dj’ing was Mike’s part time job. His career was something he took very seriously. For 33 years he was partnered with one of his dearest friends, and together they formed a successful business that empowered many people over the duration of those years.
Mike was known for his signature ponytail which disappeared every 18 months. As most of you who knew him are aware, Mike was passionate about donating his hair to Locks of Love and Wigs for Kids for many years. Mike was the type of individual who almost always thought of everyone around him before himself. He was always a nurturer, and always wanted people to be their best, and if there was a way for him to help them achieve that, he was a ready counselor or mentor. Mike was passionate about giving back to his community and anyone in need. We will never know about all of the philanthropic things he supported in private. But his generosity and kindness touched many over the years of his life. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word.
Mike is preceded in death by his father, Clarence George Harding. He was the oldest of five siblings. He is survived by his mother, Yoshie T. Harding, three brothers, Kenneth (Teresa), Jeffrey (Jolie), John, and one sister Debra (Chris) Bertram. He is also survived by nephews, Corey, Cody, and Kit, and nieces Amber, Sachiko, and Kathryn, and great nephew and niece Jackson and Haylee. One of the brightest spots in Mike’s life was his girlfriend Vicki, with whom he shared his love of travel, shagging, and golfing. Additionally, the family wishes to acknowledge his childhood friend Carl Church, and longtime business partner and friend Tom Fehlman who were like brothers to him.
Beloved son, brother, uncle, friend, and patriot, we are all honored to have had a chance to know and walk with you in our lifetimes. Our hearts are heavy. Your presence will forever be missed. Rest in peace. Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō.
Family, friends, and others whose lives Mike touched are invited to the Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home, 6000 W. Gate City Blvd., Greensboro NC, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2019, to reminisce, grieve, support each other and celebrate the life of Mike.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Heart Association or The Ellen Taylor Foundation for Junior Shaggers at www.EllenTaylorFoundation.org, both causes that were important to Mike.
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