In Loving Memory of Dr. Michael Leonard Massey November 6, 1941 – January 5, 2026Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

 Dr. Michael Leonard Massey (Mike), 84, of Mount Pleasant, SC, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026, surrounded by family at his home.

Born on November 6, 1941, in Rome, GA, Mike was the son of Oliver and Dorthy (Dot) Massey. He grew up in a loving home with his sister Ann and graduated from East Rome High School in1959.

While touring the Georgia Institute of Technology as a young man, his father told Mike this is where he would go to college. Mike later became a proud graduate of Georgia Tech. He was the first of his family to attend college, often hitch-hiking back and forth the 70 miles to visit family and get his weekly $10 for school expenses.

Though often self-effacing about his small-town roots - fond of good-naturedly referring to himself as a country boy – he would return to school after his service in the army and earn a doctorate in advanced engineering studies at Georgia Tech. There he published an influential academic paper titled “Phase Separation of Anaerobic Stabilization by Kinetic Controls.” If hewasn’t listening to Willie Nelson on vinyl while writing his dissertation, he probably wished he were.

Mike married his first wife Suzanne on September 5, 1962. They would welcome his sonMichael while living on base in Fort Bragg. Then his daughter Jennifer right before moving back to Atlanta to complete his graduate degrees.

 After graduating, Mike joined Westvaco Corporation in Covington, VA, where he raised his family, found friends, and made significant contributions to his company through his work in environmental engineering and materials science. By 1983, he was involved in patented innovations for the company, and by 1993, he had risen to the position of leading Westvaco’s Carbon Department, overseeing major expansions and advancements in activated carbon production.

 An avid runner, Mike completed multiple marathons including his favorite, the New York City Marathon in 1988, embodying his disciplined, yet adventurous spirit. He also rode motorcycles, jogged on the Great Wall of China and sailed the Caribbean.

In August 1993, Mike married Ellen Johnson in Roanoke, Virginia adding three stepsons, David, John and Bill Candler, to his family. He and Ellen would be intentional in creating priceless memories with their broader family, building bonds that would last the rest of their lives.

Mike and Ellen relocated to Mount Pleasant, SC when Mike was promoted to Vice President of the Chemical Division at Westvaco. Here Mike finished his successful career, embraced coastal living, and enjoyed travel and time with loved ones. He was fortunate to live close to Jennifer, who spent many wonderful weekends with him and Ellen. While his professional and personal accomplishments were significant, nothing ever meant more to Mike than his kids, his family, and his friends. They were a warmth to his soul and a source of purpose and meaning throughout his life. Mike was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ellen, with whom he shared over 30 joyful years until her passing in June 2025. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his sister Ann (and her husband Gene Carden) and his cousin OC “Buddy” Lam.

Mike is survived by his son, Michael Massey (wife Jenny); his daughter, Jennifer Massey; his stepsons, David Candler (wife Ann, children Jane and Will), John Candler (wife Leslie, child Eliza), and Bill Candler (wife Kelly, children Jack, Kate, and Haley); his nieces, Jody Carden Lehman (husband Bobby, children Paris and Carden) and Amy Carden Smith (husband Will, child Zephyr), and many members of his loving extended family.

 A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Family Hospice in South Carolina who cared for both Mike and Ellen with compassion and kindness. Donations can also be made to Boys Home of Covington, Virginia.

The family gives deep thanks to all of the caregivers who looked after Mike. They have been a source of not only immense practical help, but also of emotional and spiritual support during a challenging time.

 A few words here cannot begin to fully express what Mike meant to us, nor begin to capture the “Mikeness” of Mike. He had an easy smile, infectious laughter and a musical lyric for any occasion. All of the stories, music and memories are the private treasure he left behind for those of us who knew and loved him.

Mike (Dad) - we will always love you. God broke the mold after He made you. May He welcome you with open arms into the place prepared for you, bless and keep you, and play the music for you that you always wanted to hear.