WILMINGTON, NC – Charles Michael Gaines died on January 7, 2022 in Wilmington, NC. Mike was born on November 17, 1939 in Olla, Louisiana to the late Cleo Harris Gaines Hinton and the late Charles Rogers Gaines. Following his graduation from LaSalle High School in 1957, he attended the Citadel in Charleston, SC before being graduated from Northwestern Louisiana State College in Natchitoches, LA in 1961. Mike met and married his wife Alice Lillian Voss in 1967 while working in her native Minnesota and from there, they embarked upon life’s journeys together. He worked for decades as a salesman for a variety of companies in multiple locations including St. Paul, MN; Detroit, MI; Richmond, VA; Charlotte, NC and finally Greensboro, NC where he was a founding partner of Tarheel Paper and Supply Company in 1980. He worked at Tarheel until his retirement.

Mike played football throughout his high school and college careers and was a life-long sports enthusiast, especially for football, basketball and track and field. At age 66, Mike became the oldest rookie driver in NASCAR’s Dash league history, when he was the owner and driver of the number 66 Pontiac Sunfire, the Dixie Hummingbird. He realized his dream of driving at some of the biggest tracks in the sport, including Daytona and Charlotte. Not just reserved for the track, Mike’s passion for sports and Alice’s penchant for travel resulted in a lifetime of attending The Summer Olympic Games across the world. Mike relished the chance to meet people from all walks of life and was a thoughtful and kind friend. He faithfully attended St. Francis Episcopal Church for 46 years, where he served as an usher, Sunday School teacher, a member of the Finance Committee and the Every Member Canvas. Mike was known for his generous spirit and quick wit. He enjoyed composing songs and limericks throughout his life and loved any chance he got to host a houseful of friends and family. He enjoyed spending time at the family’s farm in Saint James, MN as well as their beach house in Kure Beach, NC.

Mike is survived by his wife of 54 years, Alice, and three of their four children: Charles Edmond Voss Gaines, Porter-Ann Harris Gaines Whiteside (Brian), and Margaret Alice Gaines Rickenbacker (Hardee) as well as grandchildren Lucy Brevard Whiteside, Gaines Michael Whiteside, Harris Washington Whiteside, and Braxton Ransom Rickenbacker and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, his brother, Robert Lynn Gaines and his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Gaines preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held at St. Francis Episcopal Church on Friday, March 4 at 2 PM. Instead of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to St. Francis Episcopal Church, 3506 Lawndale Dr. Greensboro, NC 27408; Lower Cape Fear Life Care, 1414 Physicians Dr. Wilmington, NC 28401; the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692 Dallas, TX 75284; or a charity of your choice.

Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is assisting the Gaines family. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.