Michael Geoffrey Thames

Michael Geoffrey Thames, 36, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday March 29, 2020 surrounded and lifted up by those he loved most. Mike’s four-year battle with Leukemia ended with the same “Fight Like Mike” spirit that fueled his life and his army of love . . .Hard work, courage, humor, and tireless love. Mike persevered in doing all he could possibly do, trusting God to do the rest.

There was no greater love in Mike’s life than his wife of 10 years, Lindsey, and their
three children, Jake(9), Celia(6), and Graham(4). Mike’s willingness to push through
pain and never give up was motivated by his role as father, and both he and Lindsey
share a fierce hope that Jake, Celia, and Graham will always feel and know Mike’s love,
even as they lean on the wide net of love and support in their family, friends, and
community.

Mike was the ultimate “people person” and the people he loved most include his
parents, Michelle and Timmy Thames of Lutcher, LA; his brother Isra (and Laura)
Thames of Baton Rouge, LA; his sister Nancy (and Brian along with niece and nephew,
Ellie and Ben) Long of Metairie, LA, and Lindsey’s family, including parents Bobbie and
Dick Pope and brothers Wes Pope(and Stephanie, niece Grace) and Rob( and Leah) all
of Atlanta. Mike’s love extends across generations to include grandparents, Gertrude
Guidry of Reserve, LA; I.B. and Betty Thames of Pollock LA; Ann Wall of Atlanta; and
Joan and Neal Pope of Atlanta, along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Mike, aka “Mikie”, was born on October 3, 1983 in New Orleans, Louisiana. A Cajun at
heart, Mike was strong-willed and kind-hearted, traits his three children embody, too!
His love of the outdoors came through in many family adventures including hunting,
fishing and simple things like jumping on a tractor and cutting the whole field, or just
hanging out and enjoying a good meal. He’s always loved to cook whether grilling out or
preparing Cajun foods like jambalaya, and nothing was too spicy for Mike! He attended
Brother Martin Highschool in New Orleans where he found a love for football and
people.

Mike liked to spice up any occasion, and this was evident throughout his time at Auburn
University. Always one to both have fun and serve others, Mike was elected President
of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity as a sophomore in college. Lifelong friendships
formed, and whether building tables for everyone to sit around at dinner or grading out a
volleyball court, Mike was always pushing the group to be better and be together. Mike
loved college football, and he particularly relished Auburn’s 2019 win over Alabama,
cheering on the Tigers from his ICU bed at Emory. When you see a sunset with
shades of bright orange, know that it’s a “fightlikemike” sky.

Mike graduated from Auburn University in 2006 with a degree in Finance and Logistics
and soon after began a meaningful career at Five Star Automotive. Most recently, Mike
served as General Manager at Gwinnett Chrysler. He was passionate about his work,
and he truly loved all facets of the dealership, most especially the people he worked
with and the friendships he made. Mike was the ultimate servant leader, and he treated
everyone, no matter their position, with the utmost respect. With gentle strength, Mike
commanded a room with just his presence. Regardless of Mike’s struggles with cancer,
he led by example and never complained. Mike was the epitome of selfless, finding joy
in other people’s success and doing anything he could to help get them there.

Mike was a special kind of tough, and he had a special way of making you feel
comfortable and happy when you were around him. He made you feel better even
though he was the one who was suffering. Mike built genuine friendships that endured
through good times and bad, and both family and friends turned to Mike for advice,
whether it be in dealing with great difficulty or just how to make a good Bloody Mary.
Throughout their cancer journey, Mike and Lindsey inspired courage and hope in
countless patients, caregivers, nurses, and doctors at Winship Cancer Center and on
the Bone Marrow Transplant floor at Emory. Whenever Mike was admitted to the floor,
the nurses would literally fight over who would care for him!! Caring for Mike was to be
inspired by Mike, and deep connections and friendships were formed along the way.
There was no greater bond formed than that between Mike and Dr. Kota, and Mike and
Lindsey’s friendship and trust in his “Doc” began during their first encounter.

Leaning on the impeccable skill and compassionate care of brilliant doctors, including Mike’s “main man, Kota” and Dr. Arellano, Mike’s army of love became a force to be reckoned with. To know Mike was to believe in Mike, so Dr. Arellano recruited Mike on day one to lead the team that would ultimately raise the most money through the Winship Win the Fight 5K. That was just the beginning of the legacy Mike and Lindsey have created through the Share Love, That’s All Foundation, born of deep gratitude for the care and support they received and as a way to pay love forward to those who need it the most.

Mike inspired everyone he touched with his will to overcome and with the extraordinary
love he had for his family and friends. The common threads of lasting friendship and
selfless service weave in and through every phase of Mike’s life, from growing up in
Louisiana, to Auburn, to deep bonds across generations with Lindsey’s family and
friends in Atlanta; from his Catholic roots in Cajun country to being welcomed into his
Shallowford Presbyterian church community; from his Five Star Automotive family to his
family that is Winship and 9T at Emory. . .Sharing love, that’s all.

Donations can be made in Mike’s honor to The Share Love, That’s All Foundation @
Sharelovethatsall.com or to your favorite charity.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held at a later date.