Michael Ray Voight Obituary (1954 - 2012)

Born Apr 28, 1954, Michael Ray Voight attended Indian River High School in Chesapeake, VA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Michael Ray Voight.

Graduation Year	Class of 1973
Date of Birth	Apr 28, 1954
Date of Passing	May 22, 2012
About	Michael R. Voight Chesapeake -Michael Ray Voight, nearly a life-long resident of Chesapeake, died on Tuesday, May 22, 2012. he was born in Norfolk on February 28, 1954, the son of Raleigh L. Voight, sr. and Dorothy M. Voight (Wrightson). known mostly for his athletic skills in his younger years, he did have an impact on the many lives through his work in coaching both football as well as track and field, as a teacher, friend, brother and uncle. Mike was a 1973 graduate of Indian River high school. he went on to the University of North Carolina at Chapel hill to graduate with a Bachelor of arts degree in physical education in 1977. During his high school years at Indian River, Mike was well known for his sports abilities on the football field and running hurdles for the track and field team. he set many records, including the Virginia high school League Record for hurdles in 1973. as a Tarheel, Mike, No. 44, made his name as “one of the greatest football running tailbacks in North Carolina and ACC history.” Mike was one of the few Tarheel football players to have competed in two sports while at Carolina. he noted himself as a track person who played football. after his freshman year as a Tarheel, he determined his focus should be on football, but only after being named the 1974 ACC Indoor hurdle Champion. Mike was awarded in holding numerous other records in football at UNC, including 254 career points off 42 touchdowns, ranking him third in that category. he was named ACC player of the Year in both 1975 and 1976, all while at Chapel hill. additionally, he played in many Bowl games during his college career, most notably in the 1976 peach Bowl. Mike still ranks 6th in the ACC for rushing yards. playing well-known songs from the 70s by the Steve Miller Band over and over in his dorm, his suitemates at Carolina dubbed him the name “space Cowboy.” The name stuck. Tarheel teammates said he was the “spark plug that made everything work” on the field. Mike was also known for ‘tipping his wings’ toward the opposing team’s cheering section after making it to the end zone in a play. One of the most famous photos of Mike displays his famous stance in his No. 44 Carolina jersey in a game against Wake Forest in 1975. The space Cowboy had a bright future as he was drafted by the NFL Cincinnati Bengals. “although he never played a regular season game, he was picked up by the Houston Oilers. Mike became a regular on special teams as a rookie.” his NFL career ended before he ever got a chance to show off his talent. On the way back home in 1977, Mike was in an accident that took away his playing career. In the late 80s, Mike became more involved with local coaching, and then took a position with Chesapeake City public schools in 1994. he was a faculty member at Oscar smith high school and helped coach a few track stars with high national rankings in his career. even after the end of his football career at Carolina, he was presented many accolades. his number, 44, was one of those honored by being placed on the facade of the Kenan Memorial Football stadium on the Carolina campus in 1994. In 2011, he was bestowed a Legends of honor award by the Chesapeake sports Club for his sports contributions at Indian River and for his accomplishments while at UNC. Mike was predeceased by both his parents, Raleigh L. Voight, sr. in 1996 and Dorothy M. Wrightson in 2007. he is survived by three brothers, Raleigh L. Voight, Jr. and wife Eleanor of Forked River, N.J., John a. Voight of Winter Park, Fla., Robert a. Voight and wife Cindy of Lake Charles, La.; two sisters, Diane M. pierce, of Grandy, N.C., and Dorothy L. Colley and husband Phillip, of Hampton, Va. Mike was an uncle to four nephews, five nieces, and great-uncle to two grand-nieces and one grand-nephew. a dog-lover, Mike found unbridled love from his pug, Maggie. Mike will be missed deeply by the many family members, friends, colleagues, teammates and student lives that he touched. his spirit will live on in the celebration of his life. a memorial service to celebrate Mike’s life will be held at 6 p.m., Saturday, May 26 at the Great Bridge Chapel of Oman Funeral home & Crematory, 653 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, Va. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 4 to 6pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the University of North Carolina at Chapel hill, P.O. Box 309, Chapel hill, NC, 275140309 or at www.giving.unc.edu/gift. Friends are invited to send condolences and to sign the online guest book atwww.omanfh.com.