My thoughts and prayers to Sue, his family and all who had the good fortune of knowing Mike. 
To me Mike was always an inspiration and a reality check to make the best of whatever circumstances one was surrounded with. No matter the situation, Mike took the positive side of life and would always make it better.
He took pride in his work and it showed
There was never an unkind word
He simply led by example
Always looking for a better way
Was a most honorable man
If you needed help, he was there.
In short, Mike was truly a Readers Digest, "My Most Unforgettable Character".
I am honored to have had the good fortune of knowing Mike and will always cherish the quiet life lessons that he shared.
From my heart,
John Otten


I am sharing personal communication from Shelly Gipson and John Migliozzi on behalf of Legacy Transportation.

Our love and prayers to Sue Blackston, Mike's family and friends.

Mike was a special part of the Legacy family and worked for us for 15 years transporting our valued customers tradeshow exhibits as well as specialized life saving medical equipment and high value equipment. He  also became one of our very best mobile exhibit drivers.

Mike's communication skills  and ability to work with our clients was really wonderful. He was a hard worker and did an excellent job. He was a  most personable and passionate professional who always strove to exceed expectations and deliver excellence.

Mike really understood the value of good customer service and professionalism. He led by example and knew that his customers truly appreciated his willingness to go the extra mile. And Legacy did too.  He made friends with so many in our company - he and Sue became family to us.

Mike was funnier than heck, and told us all many of the wonderful stories about growing up in Alabama and enjoying his family.
He was such a talented, "MacGyver" and amazing mechanic. He put tractors and trucks together from pieces and parts and they were the very best.

In his time off, he loved to sit on his rocking chair on the porch with a cup of coffee, watch the sun go up or down, and just enjoy reflecting on life.

The Legacy family will miss Mike so much, and are  grateful for having worked with and known him. We will miss him dearly and keep him in our hearts forever.

The Legacy family.



I was blessed to have Mike as a friend.  I don't remember how or when we met, but eventually, Mike became one of my drivers and that was the start of a very special friendship. I will always remember his sense of humor, his laugh, and his southern accent - which I'm convinced he practiced for my benefit! I will miss our random conversations and occasional visits.  Although we didn't talk frequently, our conversations always started right where we left off.  I know that Mike will be greatly missed by everyone lucky enough to call him a friend.
Lesa and I will be praying for Sue and the rest of Mike's family during this painful time of loss.

First met Mike when he was driving the bicentennial KW that belonged to Les Perkins( man that was a long time ago)..He was helping us load 20K of sticks in LA,,and had volunteered to help us just to be helping another Bekins driver
  ..I told him later that day that he was a natural and was going to be a success for sure- Great attitude, good with customer and no complaining while smiling all the time..Saw him several times  throughout the next 30 years and he really had done well..Always feel saddened when someone gets called before their time..Keep that sunny side up MIKE and go with God..

My Uncle Mike was one of a kind. He was the type of man that would literally give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He always made me laugh, loved my babies like his own and treated me like a daughter he never had. He was always there if you needed a helping hand and worked harder than anyone I've ever known while keeping that sweet smile on his face.  He loved my aunt sue with his whole heart. I will cherish all the memories of him forever and make sure I keep my aunt smiling and happy for him. I love you Uncle Mike. 

Mike was one of the best men I knew. He was such a mentor to me and my family. Being 18, I have my whole life ahead of me ,and I’m so glad I had someone like him to lead by example. Though we weren’t related by blood, he acted like blood is what we were. He continuously gave his all for my family and I wish I wouldn’ve gotten the chance to just tell him thank you. Thank you for coming down on Christmas, thank you for helping my grandfather pick up that limb he knew was too heavy for him to carry by himself, and thank you for letting me see that people are good. He was apart of home, and always will be. I send my condolences to his beautiful family, for he loved them so much. I also send a huge hug and a kiss to his beautiful wife Sue. He loved her so much, and because of them, I believe in true love.(which I never did before) Seeing the love shared between you two was something I’ll carry with me. Rest easy up there,  Mr. Mike. (And save me a seat right next to you) 

It is with such deep sorrow and reflection remembering this man. Mike was at the top of the lot, number one, the best of the best, yet one of the most humble of action. would help with his expertise (which had remarkable depth) with his co-workers, friends (and folks who were soon to be a friend), Never afraid to share his insight, knowledge, laugh at a hickup in a project or reflect on how it could have been done better, quicker, straighter, never one to think his way was the only way, Mike learned and taught every day of his life, which was taken way to soon.  Mike truly loved Sue, his family, his pup and shared that fact often. I have never had a project that the "Hillbilly" had worked on, that (even if it had been years past) didn't ask How is Mike, where is Mike, be sure and say "Hey".  His industry will miss him, his attitude, his expertise, and knowledge, his ability to teach, listen, insight, show us how with pride.  Sue knew she had a great guy, we found that out later.  "RIP" Mike Blackston, you're claiming your reward, just faster than we were prepared for.

I can’t believe he’s gone I am so sorry to hear about him passing I guess ya just don’t know when you’re time is up I always looked forward to his visits to the west coast if he was coming out of the bay or from LA he would go out of his way to come by for lunch or just a stop and say hi he always asked about miss Sadie are golden retriever.  He will be missed our thoughts are with the family and Sue we love you 

Prayers for the family, especially Glenda and Bobby. I know Mike is watching over his whole family. Caledonia School will miss another former student gone too soon. 

Mike and Sue were my neighbors and good friends for close to twenty years. We shared many birthdays, holidays, and meals together during that time. They even opened the doors of their home when we had an overflow of family visiting, whether they were home or not. Mike was on the road most of the time, but when he was home, he spent much of his time helping my family and other neighbors. He loved gathering wood for the burn pile so my grandchildren could have bon fires with their friends.  One of my fondest memories was a story he told me about the time he helped a man and his grandson bring in a harvest because the two of them reminded him of my grandson Brady and my husband John. I will miss hearing John asking Sue, “Where’s Mike today?”. He will be greatly missed by all of us on Marx Road.

Mike was a wonderful friend of mine he felt like my brother 
He was a great guy and is truly going to be missed 
We had a lot fond memories in the tradeshow years together 

Met Mike about 1990  we hit it off right away met Sue a couple years later considered them as very good friends and was devastated upon hearing of his passing Mike was a great HHG goods mover one of the best I've ever known as well as a Tradeshow driver he always had a smile on his face and a kind word no wonder they called him the Alabama wonder he will be missed by all of us that he came in contact with and my prayers are with Sue and Mikes family  Thanks Mike for being my friend Jim Church

OBITUARY

Michael Gene Blackston

6 November, 1959 – 30 August, 2018

Leak Memory Chapel

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