Michael O'Neal Bolin, 76, our cherished husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on Sunday, February 4, 2024.

Michael is preceded in death by his parents, William Manning and Katherine Johnson Bolin; and his sister, Barbara Russell. Survivors include his wife, Alexis; daughter, Lisa Mix (Tom) of Pensacola, FL; son, Dennis Mix (Ann) of Huntsville, AL; niece, Marie Williams (Stephen) of Springfield, VA; granddaughters, Jessica Mabe (Zachary) of Navarre, FL and Samantha Mix of Huntsville, AL; great grandson, Ryder of Navarre, FL; sisters, Brenda Edwards (Jim) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Sybil Hardin of Atlanta, GA, and Stephanie Williams (Franklin) of Gastonia, NC; brother-in-law, Dr. William Russell of Chesterfield, MO; as well as many nieces, nephews, and special friends.

Michael was a kind and gentle giant, a true southern gentleman. He was born on April 17, 1947, in Charlotte, NC, to William Manning and Katherine Johnson Bolin, and grew up in Belmont, NC, along with his four siblings.

He proudly served in the US Army infantry during the Vietnam War, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and was twice awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.

He earned a BA degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Michael was recognized as the top salesman in the nation during his tenure with George P Reintjes company, Kansas City.

In 1985, Michael married Alexis, the love of his life, and together they enjoyed over 38 extraordinary years together. Michael obtained his real estate salesman's license in 1987 and broker's license in 1995. As Realtors, Michael and Alexis had the opportunity to visit all 50 states and travel the world, making profound and long-lasting friendships along the way. Beyond professional pursuits, Michael loved golf. His passion for golf began when he was eight years old with lessons from his favorite uncles: Taylor, Ralph, and Calvin, and continued throughout his lifetime. Other passions included travel, Rotary service, football, basketball and, above all, cherished moments with family and friends. Michael was a charter member of Pace Rotary club and a current member of Cantonment Rotary. Michael served as President and Assistant District Governor for Rotary District 6940.

In Vietnam, Michael was exposed to agent orange, which resulted in a severe lung disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In 2016, he received a lung transplant at the hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) in Philadelphia, which prolonged his life.

Our thanks to the entire team who cared for Michael at Sacred Heart Hospital, Covenant Care Hospice as well as the lung transplant team at UPenn. A special thank you to local physicians Dr. Louis Navas, MD and Dr. Enrique Diaz-Guzman, MD and to Dr. Joshua Diamond, MD of UPenn for their many years of caring for Michael.

Visitation will be held at 10:30am until a Funeral Service begins at 11:30am Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, with Dr. Henry Roberts officiating. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alexis and Michael Bolin Endowed Scholarship at Pensacola State College. Checks can be made payable to the "Pensacola State College Foundation" with "Alexis and Michael Bolin Scholarship" written in the memo field or on an attached note. Checks can be mailed to PSC Foundation, 1000 College Blvd., Bldg. 17, Pensacola, FL 32504. Alternatively, donations can be made online here: https://foundation.pensacolastate.edu/opportunities-to-support-psc/scholarships/ by selecting the scholarship name from the drop-down list.