George Michael "Mike" Boardman of Nashville, Tennessee was born on March 16, 1943 in Pewee Valley, Kentucky to parents Scott and Virginia Boardman - one of 7 children. He passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 after a sudden and unexpected decline in his health at 80 years of age.
Mike was predeceased by his father, Scott Newman Boardman; mother, Virginia Milburn Boardman; brother, James Stephen Boardman; and sister, Betty Jane Steakley. He is survived by Virgie Boardman, his loving wife of 58 years; his son, Gregory (Rhonda) Boardman; grandsons James (Misty) Boardman and Cameron Kevin Kingsley; great grandchildren Rosalie Marie Boardman and Damon Kane Boardman. Additionally, he is survived by his brother John (Sharon) Boardman of Louisville, Kentucky, and sisters Mary Ann Jones of Louisville, Kentucky, Virginia Worthington of Louisville, Kentucky, and Bonnie Cartaya of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Mike was raised in a Catholic home in Louisville Kentucky. In 1961 he graduated from Trinity High School. He joined the Army National Guard in March of 1964 and took basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and advanced training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. His ordinance company was attached to the 149th tank division which eventually merged with the 23rd artillery group. Mike was a Sergeant E5 at the time of his honorable discharge in 1970.
He married Virgie Lee Wedding in June of 1965. From 1967 - 1968 he attended LaFayette Area Vocational-Technical School in Lexington, Kentucky for tool and die design. From 1968 to 1972 he worked as a Design Draftsman for Practical Mechanics, Inc. in Louisville, Kentucky. This would form the beginnings of a lifelong accomplished career in engineering fields. His career including extensive work in plastic injection molding, where he was recognized for lifelong contributions. He was a senior member of the Society of Plastics Engineers.
In 1971 they adopted their son, Gregory Boardman, then moved to Opelika, Alabama in 1972 where Mike worked as a mold designer for Ampex Corporation. He moved the family to Nashville, Tennessee in 1978 and joined Aeroquip corporation (formerly Kusan) of Franklin, Tennessee as a senior tooling engineer, where he worked until 1992. After several years with Kentech Plastics in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, he then joined Nifco in La Vergne, Tennessee where he was employed for over 10 years until his eventual retirement.
Mike was a talented artist and, from early childhood, he possessed a keen eye for detail. Throughout his life, he enjoyed creating pencil and pastel artwork. His nostalgic yearning for “the good old days” resonates through his portraits of early western stars and Hollywood icons. His work is immortalized in the homes and hearts of many friends and family members, and is proudly displayed at www.boardmanart.com.
Mike was an avid fan of The University of Alabama football team. He always loved college football and dreamed of one day seeing the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. So, in 2010 he made a special trip with his son, Greg, to see the Crimson Tide claim the first of 6 national titles under coach Nick Saban. That was one of his fondest memories. Mike also loved playing golf, home DIY projects, and just relaxing and watching old TV programs and westerns.
A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held Saturday, February 17, 2024 from 12:00-2:00PM at the Hermitage Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 2:00PM in the Tulip Grove Room at the funeral home. Following the service, Mike will be laid to rest in the the Garden of Rachel at Hermitage Memorial Gardens. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Boardman family at www.HermitageFH.com
