Celebrating the life of
Michael Rivers Kerley
June 19, 1944 - November 10, 2012
Michael Rivers Kerley
Michael Rivers Kerley, age 68, died peacefully at Hospice House in Savannah on November 10, 2012. The cause of death was Agent Orange related prostate cancer.
Mike was born June 19, 1944 in Savannah to Larry and Dorothy Rivers Kerley. Graduating from Savannah High in 1962, Mike attended college at UCLA where his studies were interrupted by the draft. He volunteered to go to Vietnam and became a diver for the Army.
Mike completed his education at UC Berkeley obtaining a degree in Political Science while concentrating his studies on Modern Chinese Politics. He was also editor of the Berkeley humor magazine, The California Pelican.
After graduation in 1970, Mike spent a year working for the U.S. Treasury Department and became one of the first Sky Marshalls trained to help prevent hijacking of U.S. commercial aircraft.
Always an avid reader and gifted writer, Mike won many awards while making his living as a writer and creative director for advertising agencies in Los Angeles and in Atlanta. In 1993, he was the writer tapped to create the first branding campaign for ValuJet Airlines and later became the publisher, editor and writer for various in-flight magazines including AirTran Airways Arrivals.
Mike lived in many parts of the country but was always happiest surrounded by the Spanish moss and marshes in his hometown of Savannah. He spent his final years living in Thunderbolt where he enjoyed his books, his boat and his view of the Wilmington River.
His son, Nicholas Michael Kerley of Los Angeles along with aunt and uncle, Lucy and Paul Weingand of Satellite Beach, Florida, survive Mike. There are also many cousins and loyal friends throughout the country.
A memorial service will be planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers charitable donations can be made to Planned Parenthood Southeast, 75 Piedmont Avenue, Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30303 or Vietnam Veterans of America, 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Springs, MD 20910.
Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel
Sail on, Michael. You will always be a beloved member of our crew.
- Penee & David Hull, Tecopa, CA
Nicholas, family & friends, please accept my condolences, well-wishes & hopes for deeply felt Peace.
- Chris Tillitski, Macon, GA
Humor and Wit Mike's perennial kindness, generosity and uniquely provocative bumper stickers; talking with him always sent me running to my books. After I stopped laughing, I wanted to know more. His cynical wit was lightened by the absence of rancor. This was Mike to me. I miss him.
- Jane Hamill, Thunderbolt, GA
My was perhaps my oldest friend. We met at UCLA in 1969 shortly after Mike returned from View Nam. We moved up to Berkeley together and joined the Sky Marshals at the same time. Our journey's continued to parallel each other when we labored in Ad Agencies - though on opposite coasts - during the same period. I admired Mike's writing and his brilliant imagination. Mike was witty, intelligent and always provoked interesting conversations. I miss him deeply.
- Stephen Rustad, Cotati, CA
Sail on, Michael. You will always be a beloved member of our crew.
- Penee & David Hull, Tecopa, CA
Nicholas, family & friends, please accept my condolences, well-wishes & hopes for deeply felt Peace.
- Chris Tillitski, Macon, GA
Humor and Wit Mike's perennial kindness, generosity and uniquely provocative bumper stickers; talking with him always sent me running to my books. After I stopped laughing, I wanted to know more. His cynical wit was lightened by the absence of rancor. This was Mike to me. I miss him.
- Jane Hamill, Thunderbolt, GA
My was perhaps my oldest friend. We met at UCLA in 1969 shortly after Mike returned from View Nam. We moved up to Berkeley together and joined the Sky Marshals at the same time. Our journey's continued to parallel each other when we labored in Ad Agencies - though on opposite coasts - during the same period. I admired Mike's writing and his brilliant imagination. Mike was witty, intelligent and always provoked interesting conversations. I miss him deeply.
- Stephen Rustad, Cotati, CA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
