Michael Kerley

Michael Troy Kerley, 59, of Dayton, passed away at Rhea Medical Center on April 14, 2023.

Born in Gary, Indiana to Milton A. and Naomi C. Kerley, his parents finally saw the writing on the wall and got the heck out of dodge, relocating to Tennessee in time for him to graduate from Sale Creek High School. Moving to Dayton just in time for the Blizzard of '93, he was finally no longer able to say to his kids "you've never seen snow until you've seen Gary, Indiana snow."

Mike married Cheryl A. Reed in 1983. Throughout their life together, they raised four children. He worked as a baker, a photographer with Olan Mills, had a stretch as a stay at home dad, and most recently took pride in delivering food to those who preferred to dine in the comfort of their own homes.

A lifelong Chicago Bears fan, he loved NFL football, counting down the days between seasons. In fact, he considered petitioning the US government to move Father's Day from the third Sunday in June to Super Bowl Sunday.

He enjoyed US History, fishing on the river, and had a love for classic Nova SuperSports that spanned decades. He could identify a classic car just by the rumble of the engine. An avid football card collector, he even once ran into a burning building to save his collection.

He was a jokester, teaching his kids that no moment was too serious not to laugh, which annoyed his wife just the same. The baby of his family, and subsequently a latch-key kid, he learned to hold his own, once calling the emergency line to ask how to cook bacon. He did, however, teach his kids how to achieve that perfect balance between crunchy and chewy fried goodness.

He passed on a love for good southern rock music, and despite living in Tennessee, his children know every word to Sweet Home Alabama. And much to his wife's chagrin, he passed on to his children a love for dumb humor found in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Dumb and Dumber and Seinfeld. Given the opportunity, he would have gladly taken on a role as a member of The Three Stooges, and often saw him and his brothers as the main roles of the movie Tombstone.

He enjoyed board games, and in the later years of his mother's life, enjoyed late night chats over jigsaw puzzles (and he probably would not be pleased to have his tough guy exterior soiled by people knowing he enjoyed jigsaw puzzles).

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jerry Kerley of Portage, Indiana, and his sister LaDonna Borders of Soddy Daisy, as well as his beloved pup, Boo, whom he possibly loved more than his own children on their worst days.

He's survived by his wife of 40 years, Cheryl, as well as his children Tiffany (Paul) Soyster of Dayton; Brandy (Brandon) Throckmorton of Ooltewah; Crystal (Rodney) Manzella of Dayton; and Michael Ryan (Grace) Kerley, also of Dayton. And if any of his jokes were possibly true, he may be survived by other children. You never really could tell if there was some truth behind that dark humor. He is also survived by brothers Boyd (Sharon) Kerley of Arizona; Rick (Connie) Kerley of Indiana; as well several nieces and nephews.

His legacy includes grandchildren Ansley, Tripp, Emma-Kate and Stone Soyster; Brayden Throckmorton; Aubrey, Eliza and Callie Manzella; and Eliot and Violet Kerley.

A time of fellowship and visitation will be hosted at Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 4-6 pm.

In liew of flowers, please consider making a donation toward medical expenses.

And remember, laughter can get you through more than you may think.