Michael K. “Mike” Mercer, 59, along with his beloved father-in-law, Lt. Col. Jimmy W. Kilbourne, Sr., USAF, Ret., 83, both of Stephens City, Virginia died in a tragic motor vehicle accident involving a drug impaired, drunk driver.
Mike, an Echota Cherokee, was born into an Air Force family August 14, 1958 in Sandersville, Georgia, the son of Lou and James Mercer, II of Wetumpka, Alabama. He lived in 5 states and 3 countries. He was a graduate of Stuttgart American High School, Stuttgart, Germany and Troy University in Troy, Alabama, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Business. Mike was an IT Program Manager for Northrop Grumman working extensively in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, Turkey, UAE and Romania. Mike served two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Kuwait with an equivalent rank of Major in the United States Army.
Mike Mercer was a fisherman, hunter, award winning marksman, gunsmith, boat captain, boat restorer, scuba and ski instructor, avid golfer and racquet ball player, motor cross racer, Certified Virginia Master Naturalist, member and past board member of the Winchester IWL, Mason and a loyal Georgia Bulldog fan. He was devoted to his dogs, cats and rescuing animals. He loved the outdoors; the smell of rain, the crispness of the snow, the jumping of a fish, and when the geese flew overhead and called, he said “The sound stirs my soul”. He could read the land and the water and the weather and loved to just “BE” outdoors at the lake, fishing, on the gun range or in the IWL lodge helping or writing a newsletter. He wanted people to get outdoors and live in and enjoy the amazing preserve at IWL but to also learn from it and care for it. He loved teaching people to fish, hunt and shoot. He loved teaching young children the skills, values, and beauty in these sports. He just wanted to be “One with Nature”. Mike was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Winchester.
Mike was a devoted family man marrying Vicki Kilbourne on June 22, 1996 in Winchester, Virginia. He delighted in the adventures of his young twins.
Surviving with his parents and his wife is his lovely daughter, Sarah Anne Mercer and his talented son, James Augustus Mercer, III of Stephens City, Virginia; a brother, James L. Mercer and wife, Chris, of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Cherishing his memory are Steve Lavender, Terry Adams and Robert Sherouse.
Mike was preceded in death by his sister, Angie Mercer, and his mother-in-law, Charlotte Anne Kilbourne.
Services will be at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mike’s memory to the Mike Mercer Memorial Fishing Derby, c/o Winchester Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, P.O. Box 2955, Winchester, Virginia 22604.
Please gather your courage and love and take car keys away from impaired drivers.