WILMINGTON — Michael Caraway “Mike” Allred, 75, passed away Tuesday, May 22, 2018.
Mike was born Oct. 30, 1942, in Mount Airy, North Carolina, son of Charles and Louise Allred.
He graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1960, where he was an integral member of two consecutive state championship basketball teams. He went on to Guilford College on a basketball scholarship. Mike graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a minor in Education. He continued his education and ultimately obtained his Doctorate in Educational Administration from UNC-Greensboro in 1996.
Mike began his career with Thomasville City Schools as a Spanish teacher and a basketball coach in 1968. Here, he spent 35 years as a teacher, coach and school administrator. Under his leadership, Thomasville High School was named a “Lighthouse School,” and one of the top 10 most improved high schools in North Carolina.
In Mike’s 42 years in public education, he received countless awards, most notably being appointed Wachovia Principal of the Year on four different occasions and receiving the “Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders” and the “Martin Luther King Community Action” awards from the Thomasville NAACP.
Mike was active at Unity United Methodist Church in Thomasville, teaching Sunday school for over 20years. Additionally, Mike was an honorary deacon at Friendship Baptist Church in Thomasville. Upon arrival in Wilmington, Mike became an active member of Wrightsville United Methodist Church and a dedicated volunteer at Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard in downtown Wilmington.
Mike’s hobbies included shagging and listening to beach music, exercising and spending time with his grandchildren. He had a passion for exercising, including weight lifting, Tae Kwon Do, running and boxing.
Mike is survived by his wife of 45 years, Linda J. Allred; daughter, Cathy Madden, and her husband, Chris Madden; stepson, Bill Palmer; grandchildren, Caroline, Luke and Patrick Madden and Tyler Palmer; and brother, David Allred, and his wife, Jenny.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, May 25, at Wrightsville United Methodist Church. A reception will follow services in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will be held in Oleander Memorial Gardens.
Share online condolences with the family at andrewsmortuary.com.
