Michael Verne Church

Colonel (Ret) Michael Verne Church, 75, passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023. He was born on November 3, 1948, at Ft. Benning, GA, to Addie and William V. Church, also a career Infantry officer. He attended Clemson University where he was an ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate with a degree in History and Economics. He entered the US Army on August 8, 1970, and retired on August 31, 2000. He was an Airborne Ranger Infantryman. He married his wife, Sarah, in 1971, and together they lived in 9 states and 2 foreign countries during his military career, during which time he also earned a Master’s degree in National Security Affairs from The Naval Postgraduate School and attended Tufts University on an Army War College Fellowship. Following military retirement, Col. Church pursued Holy Orders in the Anglican church, Anglican Province of Christ the King. He was ordained a deacon in 2010 and as a priest in 2011. Fr. Mike was the rector of St. Thomas Aquinas Anglican Church in Montgomery until his death. He loved the outdoors (hunting and fishing), singing, writing music, and playing his guitars.

Col. Church/Fr. Mike was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Sarah, their two sons, Nicholas and his wife Joylenn, and William, and two grandsons, Samuel and Jacob. Fr. Mike’s funeral mass will be on December 15 at The Anglican Church of the Holy Comforter in Montevallo where he was ordained.

Burial will be at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo with full military honors.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Anglican Church, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Leak-MC.com for the Church family.