Michael Henry Gamotis

Michael Henry Gamotis passed away peacefully on February 22nd, 2024, at the age of 78, with his two sons by his side, and an abundance of family and friends ever present in the days and weeks prior. Mickey, as he was known by so many, was a beloved family member and cherished friend to all who knew him. In 1969 he married Diedra Donald Gamotis and together they raised their two boys. He has three grandchildren, and was elated to learn in his final days that he has another grandson on the way.

Mickey was a son, brother, friend, cousin, brother-in-law, uncle, godfather, father, and grandfather, and he fulfilled each of these roles with unwavering love and devotion. His relationships with family and friends were his most treasured assets, and with most spanning decades, they have certainly stood the test of time. Many of those lucky enough to have him as a friend considered him among their best friends.

He had an endless curiosity about our world and the diversity of life that it contains. He was an avid reader with widely ranging interests in history, literature, human nature, philosophy, science, and technology. He marveled at feats of human ingenuity and the wonders of nature alike. He always engaged those around him with stimulating conversation and, on occasion, healthy debate.

When he wasn't deep in thought or conversation, he could often be found working on various projects with friends and loved ones. He was a renaissance man who always loved to build and tinker, and he relished collaborative efforts with others in which they could design, construct, repair, and renovate. He also loved to be out in nature, and especially to be on the water. He enjoyed many years of fishing with friends, hunting with his brother, sailing and waterskiing with his sons, and exploring the backwaters and estuaries of the Gulf Coast.

Laughter always accompanied him. His appreciation of irony, quick wit, and infectious laugh were cherished by all who knew and loved him. His sense of humor and mischievous nature remained fully intact until the very end, and he was loved all the more because of it. He was fascinating and complex. He was a conservationist and a contrarian, a fisherman and a philosopher. He was a keen intellectual and a beautiful dreamer. He loved his family and friends above all else. He will be deeply missed, but we will treasure all that he was, and all the love, stories, and memories that he has left with us.

Michael H. Gamotis is survived by his two sons, David (Jill) Gamotis and Robert (Rebekah) Gamotis, grandchildren Anna, Abby, and Andrew Gamotis, and another grandson due in August. He is also survived by his mother, Yvonne Landry Gamotis, brother Jerome (Paula) Gamotis, and sisters Delane (Bruce) Bacon, Carol Wells, Vivian Dooley, and Lynette (Ron) Kalifeh. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Lawrence O. Gamotis, and brother John Thomas Gamotis.

Services will be held at Pinecrest Funeral Home in Mobile, AL on Saturday, March 16th. Visitation will begin at 12:00pm, service to follow at 2:00pm.

Memorial donations may be made to:

Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary:

https://www.dauphinislandbirds.com/donate

Dauphin Island Sea Lab:

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E344693&id=2

Coastal Conservation Association (CCA):

https://www.ccaalabama.org/events/donate-to-cca-alabama