Mike L. Gordy, 54

LAUREL - Mike L. Gordy of Laurel died on March 4, 2007, at his home after a very short but remarkably courageous battle with lung cancer, with his best friend and companion, Vicky, at his side. He was 54.

Mike worked at Del-Mar Concrete and leaves behind many friends gained from his employment there.

His greatest pleasures included raising goats on his farm and spending time with his family.

For those of us who had the pleasure of being a part of Mike"s life, it is our hope that his legacy will be that of the kind and caring brother and friend who drew no line or boundaries when it came to helping a person in need.

We can only hope that each of us will experience the peace Mike found in his journey that he has taken. We will forever remember his sweet blue eyes and his sense of humor.

He was ornery in a kind way, and we will smile often as we remember the funny times we had, even in the darkest hours of his last day here with us.

If there is anything to be learned from Mike"s life here on earth it is that the choices we make will come back to us 10-fold. He has so much to be proud of, and those of us who had the pleasure of knowing Mike are so proud to be part of his life.

He was preceded in death by his father, William J. Gordy; and grandparents, Reese and Mary Gordy and Thomas and Elah Hearne.

He is survived by his mother, Marian Lee Gordy; his best friend and companion, Vicky Higgins; his son and daughter-in-law, Reese and Amy Gordy; grandchildren Brayden and Ellie; four sisters and four brothers-in-law Mary Ellen and Chuck Kraus, Peggy and Ron Williams, Cindy and Jerry Mullins, and Judy and Steve Goff; a brother Phil Gordy; three nephews, Erik Williams, John Gordy and Corey Goff; four nieces, Tricia Dorofee, Charity Swain, Samantha Gordy and Tracie Makin; Vicky"s children, Jesse and April Higgins; as well as his beloved aunts and uncles and cousins.

Mike asked that his celebration of his life be a casual affair so please wear jeans or whatever you are most comfortable wearing. We are saying "farewell" to our long-haired country boy who lived every day to the fullest, and left us with so much to think about.

A funeral service will be held on Friday at 1 p.m. at the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home 700 West St., Laurel, where friends and family may call Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Interment will follow at Smith Mills Cemetery in Delmar.

Instead of flowers the family requests that donation be made to Delaware Hospice 20167 Office Circle Georgetown, DE 19947; or the Horsey Family Youth Foundation 28107 Beaver Dam Branch Road Laurel, DE 19956.