Robert Michael “Mike” Wilkinson

Robert Michael “Mike” Wilkinson, 76 years old, passed away on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at his residence in Columbus, Georgia.

A Celebration of Life will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, December 30, 2023 in the chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.

Mike was born on October 22, 1947 in Columbus, GA to the late Robert Warren Wilkinson and Rosa Carthen Wilkinson. Mike was proud to have served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He also retired from BellSouth with more than 25 years of service.

His passion for hunting and fishing began at a very early age. His face would light up as he would reminisce, recalling adventures with his father, brother, nephew, and many other family members and friends. He cherished the precious memories that were made at the Miller Road Church Hunting Camp, at friends’ lakes and properties, and in his own backyard at the river. He also passed his love of the outdoors onto his children and grandchildren through memories and visits to the hunting land.

He considered all of the servers and staff at Country’s Barbeque to be his family. He was completely invested in their lives outside of work and their overall well-being and he looked forward to seeing them every day. If anyone ever needed to find him, any day of the week, you knew he would be at Country’s on Main, sitting at “his table” next to the wall mural. Anyone who knew him would know he was there, even before walking inside, because his car would be parked in “his spot” out front. He always welcomed others to sit with him, friends and strangers alike, and often anonymously paid for strangers’ meals as a way of blessing others and spreading the love of Jesus.

He took pride in organizing and regularly meeting with the BellSouth retirees. Each month as the meeting date approached, he would call each person individually to remind them of the upcoming lunch and catch up with them all like old times. These retirees were more than past coworkers; he considered them to be close friends and family as well.

To Mike, family was everything. His love for his two daughters was unrivaled. He was the kind of father who never missed the opportunity to say “I love you” and “I’m SO proud of you”. He was an incurable optimist. He took pride in building a good fire and grilling a good steak. He had a way of making everyone feel special and worthy of love and compassion. His wit was unrivaled and his love was unparalleled.

Mike is survived by his daughters, Kelly Moss (Eric) of Fortson, GA, Amy Evans (Chris) of Smith Station, AL, sister, Linda Wilkinson-Cliff of Columbus, GA, brother, Tommy Wilkinson (Cathy) of Midland, GA, nephew, Marc Spano (Cynthia), niece, Sunday Sanders (Eddie) both of Columbus, GA, grandchildren, Brayden Moss, Paisley Moss and Mallory Evans.

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Mike’s generosity, show an act of kindness by paying for a stranger’s meal at County’s Barbecue.