Douglas Clyde Michael, age 83 of Martin, passed away on October 3, 2024.
Born in the Hog Mountain community of Buford on November 7, 1940, Doug was the son of the late Ralph L. and Elsie Rawlins Michael. Doug graduated from Buford High School, where he never missed a single day. After high school, Doug started as a brick laborer in 1958 and soon after met the love of his life, the former Carole Mensinger. They wed soon thereafter. He quickly proved himself and advanced his skills and joined the union and his mason career took off. Doug completed masonry work all over the southeast in both commercial and heavy residential applications. In the late 70s, Doug transitioned to commercial and residential real estate. He purchased numerous properties and apartments that he and his family would run for over 30 years. Doug and Carole had a love for horses. They were the owners of “Mr. American Flyer,” who was a record holder in Paducah, Kentucky, and “Charging Candy Man,” who raced in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Doug and Carole wished to retire to the beautiful mountains of Northeast Georgia and moved to the New Liberty community of Clarkesville in 1999. Doug, affectionately known by many as the “Buggy Man,” opened a small buggy and automobile museum in Clarkesville and then obtained the old Orbit building in Helen. He built a go-cart track and began a classic car display along with the buggies. Soon after opening, Doug built the Remember When Theatre with Mark Pitt’s tribute to Elvis, plus numerous music stars. In 2003, Doug opened Habersham Hills Cinema at Cody Road and 365. With semi-retirement on the forefront, Doug and Carole would later move to Franklin County and chose to make his final home in Martin, GA. Doug never stopped working. He was passionate about making a deal and providing a good life for his family. Doug was of the Christian faith and was a member of Snellville Masonic Lodge and Yaarab Shrine Temple.
In addition to his parents, Doug was preceded in death by daughter Katherine Ann Michael, granddaughter Kahree Ann Michael, and brothers Jimmy Michael and Frank Michael.
Survivors include wife Carole Mensinger Michael of Martin; sons Eddie Michael (Shelia) of Lake Hartwell, Chris Michael (April) of Clarkesville, and Scott Michael of Toccoa; grandchildren Amber Michael (Major), Blake Michael (Jessie), Schrei Bennett (Buck), Logan Michael, Alexa Schwartz, Tommy Michael (Kaylee), Wendy Michael, Joey Michael, and Ariel Schwartz; great-grandchildren Nevaeh Skye Michael, John Henry Michael, Adalyn Briar Manning, Mickey Wayde Manning, Ella Rose Bennett, Clark Ashton Bennett, Mason Karter Michael and Emmett Douglas Michael, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
A celebration of life service will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Hillside Memorial Chapel, with Rev. Tim Burpee and Rev. Keith Gilbert officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 PM prior to the service.
An online guestbook is available and may be viewed at HillsideMemorialChapel.com.
Arrangements are in the care and professional direction of Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville. 706-754-6256.
