His multiple myeloma had progressed too quickly for treatment, but he put up a strong fight against cancer. His final wishes were to be at home with his family and pets. He is preceded in death by his parents, Audrey Ames Hope and John Albert Hope, and brothers Wayne and John Hope. He is survived by his wife, Teresa Faye Hope, his daughter Jocelyn Mariah Knight (and husband Joshua), his daughter Chrissy King (and husband John), his granddaughter Soren King, his sister Lynne Pauley, his nephews , Andrew, James, and Junior Pauley and lots of loving in-laws and extended family.
Michael was born in Nassawadox, VA and lived in several different areas of the state, but resided in Virginia Beach for the last 35+ years. He spent much of his younger years out on the water, either sailing a boat or on a surfboard. He was always chasing a good wave every chance he got. He loved to share stories of his times in the water, his up-close encounters with sharks, and memories of his old surfing buddies. His eyes would light up with passion every time he spoke of those days. Every family beach trip was spent with hours in the ocean every day (followed by the hot tub, of course)!
He spent 22 years at the Newport News Shipyard as a welding and reliability specialist, and then started a landscaping business. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from ODU but preferred the artistic freedom of landscaping. He built a loyal clientele that he maintained for years. He loved to create. He could repair anything and had an eye for repurposing materials to bring his vision to life. He was a skilled craftsman; he designed and laid the flooring in his home, built a 35ft deck, a pond, a bridge, sheds, and greenhouses in his backyard. The last two summers he really enjoyed cleaning and swimming in his 30ft pool. He loved to be at home, surrounded by the results of his own hard work.
To know Michael was to love him. He had a delightful sense of humor and was kind to everyone he crossed paths with. He was the first one to call if you needed a quick solution, and he would drop everything if someone needed him. He made connections everywhere he went, he was always making conversation with strangers who quickly turned into friends. He will be very dearly missed by many.
A funeral service will be held at Grace River Church 5045 Indian River Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23464 on November 9th, 2024 at 11am. All are welcome.
