Michael Lee Burch, 54, of Buena Vista passed away on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with metastatic melanoma. 

Mike was a loving husband and father, beloved son, precious brother and brother-in-law, devoted father-in-law, uncle and son-in-law. He was a passionate teacher, and an absolute force of strength and courage.

He was born to parents George and Carole Burch in Buena Vista whom he loved and respected immensely.

He graduated from Rockbridge High School in 1987 where he was a three-sport athlete, playing basketball, football, and baseball. His love of high school sports continued throughout his life. He graduated from James Madison University in 1997. In 1998 he began his teaching career where he touched the lives of countless children in the community by blending music, dance and P.E. together for fun and enriching classes. He coached boys baseball, girls basketball and volleyball through the years. Mike instilled his passion for life in his students, athletes, colleagues and virtually everyone he met.

He married the love of his life, Penny  Moore Burch, in 1997 at the Stone Church of the Brethren in Buena and together they raised three beautiful girls, Samantha (Chris), Hannah and McKenzie.

Their home was and will remain a sanctuary of love, laughter and acceptance, where family and friends were always welcomed with open arms and open hearts.  

Mike ensured his daughters had ample opportunities to develop their own love for sports, and when volleyball became the sport of choice, he dove all in with them. Mike cared deeply for brother Greg, sister Kim (Dave), parents-in-law Carl and Emma Golde, brother-in-law Larry (Karen), sister-in-law Fonda (Edward), sister-in-law Teresa (deceased), nephews Chad (Rachel), Chase (Amy), Ty (Kendall), their families and a host of other special nieces and nephews.

Mike lived life to its fullest, each and every day. When he was not traveling with Penny and the girls to volleyball games and tournaments, he loved hunting, playing golf, playing his guitar, chopping wood to feed his wood stove and cooking for family and friends. In fact, very few things made him happier than teaching us all how to properly blacken a ribeye on the grill.

Mike’s favorite saying, “It doesn’t hurt to be nice,” epitomized the way he lived his life, leaving a lasting legacy of love, kindness and compassion for his family and friends.

Mike was a friend to all, a confidant to many, and a source of inspiration to everyone fortunate enough to cross his path. As we remember and celebrate Mike’s life, let us honor his memory  by carrying forward his message of kindness, making the world a more welcoming and compassionate place, just as Mike did through his remarkable journey.

His funeral and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m. at the Stone Church of the Brethren in Buena Vista.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Harrison Funeral Home.

The family welcomes gifts to the Michael Burch Scholarship Fund, which will benefit graduating Rockbridge County High School student-athletes who embody Mike’s passion for life. Contributions may be made at any Bank of Botetourt branch.