ROCKINGHAM — Michael Lindon Stogner was born May 13, 1943 in Hamlet, and peacefully passed away at the age of 79 at his home in Rockingham on June 18, 2022. He leaves behind a loving family, and a legacy of success and happiness.
Mike graduated from Hamlet High School, Class of 1961. Mike had many jobs early in life from the working on the Hamlet railroad, to selling ad space in the yellow pages, and running a car lot. Mike’s initial entry into entrepreneurship was opening Playhouse Nursery in Hamlet. However, his first taste of real success came when selling insurance and winning multiple trips and sales awards, consistently being named as one of the top salesmen in the entire company. In 1985, he met his loving wife Patricia Stogner and they spent 37 years happily married. Later in life he would open multiple businesses — Little Kingdom childcare, American Preferred Tax Service, Broad Street Jewelry & Loan, and even owning and managing a chicken farm. There was not much he couldn’t do.
Mike valued his health and physical fitness and could be found routinely running through the neighborhood with one of his closest companions of 10-plus years, his dog Hunter. In 1997, Mike competed in the senior games in South Carolina and won a gold medal in the 400m race, setting a state record for the 55 year age group, finishing the race in 62 seconds flat — a record that stood for 22 years. When not exercising or riding through town with “beware of dog” on the back of his truck, Mike enjoyed spending time coaching and cheering on his son Michael with his little league sports or hanging out in his office at the pawn shop trading stocks.
Mike was as compassionate as he was tough. He expected the best from others because he himself always gave 100% with everything he did. Just ask his children. Underneath the demanding and strict exterior was a generous man that enjoyed helping others. Regularly providing financial aid to folks when they needed it most, or simply purchasing the groceries of the families ahead of him in line at the store. It could be said that his biggest muscle of all was his heart.
He was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Johnsie Stogner; sister, Kay Stogner Cockman; and his daughter, Julie Crawford.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Stogner, of Rockingham; son, Michael Stogner (Danielle), of Louisburg; daughters, Christy Jordan (Randy), of Rockingham, Michelle Denham (Jay) of Rockingham; and ex-wife Martina Haire (Randy) of Hamlet; grandchildren, Brooke Patrick, Hunter Wilkes, Morgan Canady, Haleigh Holdsworth, Shania Chambers, Madison Jordan, Savannah Jordan, Madelyn Stogner and Michael Lane Stogner; and finally, three great grandchildren, Levi Hasty, Bryce Smith and Tatum Wilkes.
A service of remembrance and celebration of Mike’s Life will be held at Carter Funeral Home, 705 S. Caroline St., Rockingham, on Tuesday, June 21, from 6-7 .m. This will be immediately followed by a visitation service at Carter Funeral Home, June 21 from 7–8 p.m.
Carter Funeral Home of Rockingham is serving the Stogner family and condolences may be posted online at carterfuneral.net. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send donations to Hospice Haven of Rockingham who has tirelessly supported the family before and throughout this difficult time.
NOTE: Service date has been corrected. 2:55 p.m. 6-20-22
