James Michael “Mike” Fly, 75, died Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
He was born April 21, 1947, in Jackson, Tennessee to James Drake “Jimmy” Fly and Merle Evelyn Fitch Fly. He graduated from Jackson High School and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict. While stationed in Italy, he participated in the building of a chapel on the base and volunteered at a local orphanage. On May 24, 1970, he married Suzanne Flowers and in 1973 they relocated to the Tupelo area to raise a family. After 15 years with the Railroad, he and his wife opened and operated Sunshine Cleaning Service for 35 years before their retirement. Mike was an avid Tennessee Vols fan and enjoyed playing golf and traveling. He was a family man who enjoyed quality time with his family.
Mike is survived by his wife of 52 years, Suzanne Fly of Saltillo; four children, Brian Fly and his wife, Kim, of Tupelo, Rusty Fly and his wife, Anna, of Memphis, Tennessee, Jared Fly and his wife, Elisabeth, of New Albany, and Laura Magness and her husband, Ryan, of Hernando; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Gayle Ellis and her husband, Joe, of Ocala, Florida, and Barbara Thompson of Boyle; sister-in-law, Marilyn Fly of Memphis; brother-in-law, Richard Flowers and his wife, Karen, of Waverly, Tennessee; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bobby Fly; and brother-in-law, Larry Thompson.
Visitation will be 12 p.m. until service time Friday, February 17, 2023, at Pegues, Tupelo.
Services honoring his life with Military Honors will be 2 p.m. Friday, February 17, 2023, at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Rev. Matt Powell and Rev. Ricky Young officiating. Graveside services will be 12 p.m. Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Ebenezer Cemetery in New Johnsonville, Tennessee with Blake Pickard officiating.
Pallbearers will be Harrison Fly, Broede Pickard, Phillip Pickard, Ryan Magness, Davis Webb, Jacob Dickerson, and Chris Flowers.
Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Durham, Ronnie Morgan, and Richard Flowers.
Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be made at www.PeguesFuenralHome.com.
