Dr. Michael H. Edmondson

Dr. Michael H. Edmondson passed away peacefully on February 10, 2021 at Hospice of Columbus after a three-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Mike was born in LaGrange, Georgia on August 9, 1954 to the late Mattie Ruth Hurley Edmondson and Herman L. Edmondson. His family moved to Columbus when he was 12, and he attended Columbus public schools graduating from Hardaway High School in 1972.

Mike earned Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Specialist Degrees from Columbus State University and a Ph.D. from Auburn University. He was a lifelong learner with a passion for education and completed the last class for an additional degree in psychology after receiving his cancer diagnosis.

Mike spent most of his 35 years as an educator teaching advanced placement physics and chemistry in Muscogee County with stints at Spencer, Hardaway, and Northside. He was an exceptional teacher, who is fondly remembered by students and colleagues for his unwavering dedication and commitment. He was a former Page One Sara Spano Top Teacher, a Muscogee County Teacher of the Year, and a Georgia Secondary Schools Science Teacher of the Year. He also received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics from President George H.W. Bush in a White House ceremony.

In 2018, Mike was elected to the Muscogee County School Board as the District 2 Representative and was recognized as a strong advocate for students and teachers. He currently worked as an adjunct professor and was a Clinical Field Experiences Supervisor for the Woodrow Wilson Program at Columbus State University.

Mike traveled extensively and visited six of the seven continents. He was a trivia wiz, a collector of Lionel trains, and a master baker. His Mother’s Recipe Pound Cakes, chocolate scones, and red velvet cakes will be missed by many. He was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church and found solace in his faith during the last few months. Most of all, Mike was a good man who was hardworking and generous with a deep empathy for others. He lived life to the fullest and never wasted a single day.

Mike will be lovingly remembered by his Aunt Hazel Edmondson Studdard, cousins Ken Studdard, Peggy Woodruff, Martha Stephens, Brenda Spiga, Bishop Ray, Terry Hurley, and Cynthia Hurley along with special friends Renee Tharp and Alex Moreno. He also leaves behind his devoted dog Elizabeth.

A private memorial service will be held and may be viewed online at stthomascolumbus.org on Friday, February 19, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, Georgia 31907

Memorial donations may be made to St.Thomas Episcopal Church at sttomascolumbus.org, the Wynnton Neighborhood Network at wynntonneighborhoodnetwork.org, Green’s Chapel United Methodist Church in C/O Julia White1293 County Road 44, Wedowee, Alabama 36278 or to a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank Mike’s many wonderful friends, especially Jennifer Fletcher, Wendell Turner, Cecilia Ramos, Robert Clark, and Diane Carr for their support and loving care during his illness.

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