Michael Richard Gavitt, 60, of Gulf Breeze, Florida, passed away Wednesday, August 16, 2017. He was born November 15, 1956, in Connecticut. He was a 1975 graduate of Wasson High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Michael enlisted in the US Navy at the end of the Vietnam War where he served on the USS Forrestal and the USS Ajax as a Hull Technician and Fire Marshal. He attained the rank of E-5, and then served in the Naval Reserve after an Honorable Discharge.

Michael used his many skills from the Navy and a lifetime of skilled labor in his careers as a private contractor, Mercedes-Benz Technician, and eventually as a Wastewater Plant Electrician for the City of Gulf Breeze, from where he retired in January 2016. He had the natural ability to fix, design, build, or repair any machine or system he encountered. He built a home for his family in Colorado Springs utilizing his amazing skills with woodworking and custom tile work, including a hot water heating system for the floors with a control room “to rival the engine room of any Naval ship”. For many years, he and his wife owned and operated uniform stores in Colorado Springs and Denver, Colorado, which included many Air Force contracts at the Academy.

Michael was a kind-hearted man who was helpful to neighbors and friends, and was very proud of his family and their achievements. Michael enjoyed many hobbies over the years, including fishing on his boat, target shooting, racing professional and recreational motocross, and rebuilding cars.

He is preceded in death by his sister Diane (Gavitt) Nees, of Kalispell, Montana.

He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Diane Kay Gavitt, of Gulf Breeze, Florida; his daughter, Devin Katherine (Gavitt) Mohan RN, along with her husband, Barry Mohan RN, of Orlando, Florida; his son, Connor Richard Gavitt Cadet 3rd Class, of the University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida; his brother, Glenn Gavitt, and his wife Rebecca, of Trenton, Florida; and his parents, Richard and Barbara Gavitt, of Barefoot Bay, Florida.

Arrangements are entrusted to Lewis Funeral Home, Navarre Chapel, with services on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 6:00 p.m., with Father Kelly, of St. Sylvester Catholic Church officiating, and then ending with military honors.

Michael was a cancer survivor who suffered with declining health. The family request memorial donations be made in his name to UF Health Shands in Gainesville, Florida, for the outstanding care they provided him over the years.

UF Health Shands Gifts:

ONLINE:
www.uff.ufl.edu/onlinegiving

BY MAIL:
UF Health Shands
UF Health Cancer Center
PO Box 103633
Gainesville, FL 32610

BY PHONE:
(352) 273-9080