John G. C. Michal

John G C Michal, of Abingdon, Va, passed away unexpectedly at Bristol Regional Medical Center on August 6th, 2025.

John was a native of eastern Virginia, and had a deep and abiding love of boats and the water. He was born July 29th of 1949 and spent his childhood boating on Dividing Creek, antagonizing his brother, idolizing his father, and scaring the hell out of his mother with his antics.

When John moved to Southwest Virginia in 1991, he established himself as a building contractor, quickly gaining traction due to his skill and attention to detail. Many of his customers became his friends thanks to his keen wit and intellect, as well as his caring nature.

John was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2022, and in true Michal fashion, proceeded to out-stubborn it and everything else right up to the end. We are so thankful for the extra time we got with him, thanks in no small part to Dr. Davis, Dr. Swank, and nurse Belinda, whom he aggravated to no end.

John was preceded in death by his mother and dad, Mary and Charles; and his wife, Annie. He is survived by his brother, Gridley, of Urbanna, Va; his daughter, Sophie of Clinchco, Va; and his grandchildren, Daniel, Jakob, Ben, and Natalee, whom he pretended to tolerate but mostly adored.

He had a keen eye for the strays and unwanted, from animals to broken down cars in which only he could see the potential; he used his talented photographer’s eye to bring out the beauty and usefulness in everything around him.

John was the best friend, brother, husband, Dadski, and Pop we could have ever wanted. Our world is a little dimmer without his light, and we are all the better for having loved him.

His service will be August 15, 2025 at Farris Funeral Service in Abingdon from 6-8 pm. Bring a story, bring a laugh; let’s send John out with the love and joy he brought us all.