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Michael Lehmkuhler, age 71, passed away on December 6 in his dream home at the beach, surrounded by family. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 42 years, Kathy Lehmkuhler; his daughter, Kristal Seaford of Richmond, Virginia, and her two children, Wyatt and Leona Seaford; and his daughter, Kate Blevins and son-in-law, Josh Blevins, of Greensboro, North Carolina, and their two children, Brooks and Hayes Blevins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Naomi Lehmkuhler, and is survived by his father, Cas Lehmkuhler and his wife, Mattie Lehmkuhler, of Venice, Florida.

Born in Huntingburg, Indiana in 1953, Mike was always larger than life. He made a dramatic entrance as a 10 lb. baby, and his childhood in an Air Force family included adventures in Germany, Louisiana, Nebraska, and more. Moving frequently gave Mike a gift for making friends wherever he went and a lifelong love of travel.

For ten and a half years, Mike said he was his mother’s “onliest one,” but three siblings came in quick succession: Mark Lehmkuhler, Michele Alvarez, and Monte Lehmkuhler. For the rest of his life, he took on the role of the caring and cool big brother – whether taking his siblings out for ice cream or to their first concerts. Music was a lifelong passion of Mike’s, and he would light up when his favorite songs came on. He loved to dance and to party like a rockstar, sometimes literally (while living in London, he attended soirees with celebrities including Elton John).

But anyone who knew Mike knows that the true love of his life was his wife, Kathy. While they originally became friends at York High School, they didn’t begin dating until their fateful 10-year high school reunion. After that, they were inseparable. He was devoted to his family, and especially loved being a silly Opa to his four, beloved grandchildren.

A proud “Wahoo,” Mike graduated from the University of Virginia and received his MBA from Columbia University. He began his career in Foreign Exchange, but his later work at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership was closest to his heart. Mike was passionate about helping people find jobs and creating economic opportunities in disadvantaged areas. As Vice President of Business Attraction, he helped bring in over $7.9 billion in new investments and created over 20,500 jobs.

Outside of work, Mike enjoyed fishing, golf, and watching sports (especially UVA and the Pittsburgh Steelers). In his younger years, he played basketball and was an all-star rugby player, playing in clubs in London, Pittsburgh and NYC. But there was one game nobody wanted to play with Mike – Trivial Pursuit. He won every time. He was also the champion of carrying giant, fresh cut Christmas trees and up to twenty pumpkins at a time on family trips to the Chesterfield Berry Farm.

After years of summer vacations in the Outer Banks, he finally achieved his lifelong dream of moving to Avon, NC. The family will hold a private memorial there for him, on the beach he so loved. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for any donations to be made to the Hatteras Island Rescue Squad in recognition of their continued support over the last few years.

A man so big leaves a giant impression on our hearts. We will always love and miss you, Tall Timber.

Plans for a family memorial gathering are pending at this time. share a word of grace with the family at www.gallopfuneralservices.com.

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