James Michael “Mike” Regions was born October 2, 1962, at Jefferson Hospital in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He died Wednesday afternoon, August 4^th, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.

He is survived by two sisters, Deborah, of Phoenix, AZ and Susanna, of Henderson, NV and by his brother, John, of Springfield. He has two daughters: Heather Regions of Springfield and Brittany Hunter and her four children – Gabrielle, Jayden, Bentley and Andrew – of Memphis, TN.

Mike also leaves a nephew, Nathaniel Regions of Branson, Mo, that he enjoyed fire-arms discussions with; as well as two very young nieces and a nephew whom he adored – Scarlett, Henry and Rose Regions. He is also survived by his parents, Mary and James Regions of Springfield.

Mike lived in Springfield most of his adult life after graduating from high school in Alamogordo, NM, in 1980. He loved playing basketball on Christian school teams and later became an avid dart player and golfer. He served a stint in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Minot, North Dakota.

Michael learned the drywall trade as a youth while working with his dad who was a sheetrock hanger. He also worked as a hanger, initially, and then became a very talented drywall finisher.

He worked the drywall trade with an enforced “vacation” to battle larynx cancer with chemo, radiation therapy and surgery that reduced his speaking abilities. Although weakened from the fight with cancer, he returned to the trade for several more years. Then, cancer attacked his body again – a debilitating brain cancer – and he fought another battle with surgery, chemo and radiation therapy. Even following brain surgery, with his right side partially paralyzed, he continued to work as much as possible with his friends in the industry.

Mike was saved at an early age and had an initially close walk with the Lord. As an adult his walk was slow and hesitant at times but during the last few years of his life, he developed a renewed relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He enjoyed the ministry of Crossway Baptist Church and especially the Christ-honoring preaching of the pastor, Eddie Bumpers. His “Pilgrim’s Progress,” a close –to erratic- to very solid walk with the Lord, is now cemented as he is walking hand-in-hand with his Savior in heaven.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m., August 17^th, at Greenlawn Cemetery North in Springfield, MO, in Section E, Lot # 445. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made online to the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong mission offerings at Crossway Baptist Church.