Michael began in EMS at the Belton Rescue Squad in the late 1980s as a volunteer. As an emergency services EMT and paramedic for more than 30 years, he served with Honea Path EMS/Rescue Squad, Medshore, Laurens County and Greenwood County EMS.

He was also a former reserve police officer with the town of Honea Path and, briefly, was a volunteer firefighter with the town. He also tutored and helped train many EMS personnel. Prior to his EMS service, he managed apartments in Belton, worked in maintenance and was employed at Anderson School District Two in maintenance.

A graduate of A.C. Flora High School in Columbia, he attended Columbia College and Miami Christian College, as well as earned certification in EMS. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Honea Path and Belton #130 AFM Masonic Lodge. 

In addition to his wife of the home, he is survived by daughters, Ashley Rider Gage of Abbeville and Kristen Ellison of Anderson; grandchildren, Dakota Murphy of Troy, Logan Gage of Trenton, Isaac Ford II of Graniteville, Ashton Gage of Abbeville, and Halo Wheeler, Kyle and Michael Williams, all of Anderson; half-brothers, Ray and Norman Rider of California; sister-in-law, Lynn Robinson (Scott) of Belton; brother-in-law, Richard Ellison (Mandy) of Seneca; and numerous “adopted” family and friends, as well as cousins who were like siblings. 

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his mother- and father-in-law, Doris and Frank Ellison; and numerous cousins, family and friends. 

Memorial Services with Masonic Rites will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, November 27, 2022 at Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Joey Mitchell officiating.

The family is at the home and will receive friends from 1 to 2 PM on Sunday at Pruitt Funeral Home prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Belton #130 AFM of S.C. lodge’s stair lift project, P.O. Box 730, Belton, SC 29627. Online condolences may be made to www.ParkerWhitePruitt.com