Thomas Michael "Mike" Waygood

Thomas Michael Waygood was born on Dec. 18, 1946 in Everett, Washington to James W. Waygood, Sr. and the former Margaret Mortland. He passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, from congestive heart failure, following surgery. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Kathleen, their combined seven children, Michael S. Waygood of Maine, Garrett D. Waygood (Riley) of New Hampshire, Kerry K. Sanger of Athens, Georgia, Timothy S. O’Sullivan (Naiomi) of Windsor, Connecticut, Erinne Aponte (Peter) of Cumming, Georgia, Amy O’Sullivan and Megan O’Sullivan, both of Winter Garden, Florida. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He also leaves his sister, Karen Waygood (Jim Gilson). He was predeceased by his parents, sisters, Lisa Waygood and Elizabeth Norman, and his older brother, James W. Waygood, Jr.

Mike, as he was known, attended school in nearby Mountlake Terrace, Washington where he played on the football and wrestling teams. After graduation in 1965, he entered the United States Marine Corps and served for two tours in Vietnam as a part of 1st Shore Party, 1st Marine Division. While there, he served in Danang, Chu Li and Phu Bi. His main duty was in the supplies office, keeping records and ordering what was needed. If another job came up, he was quick to volunteer for it, giving him a break from the norm and getting him outdoors. Some of the other duties he performed included mine sweeping, chauffeuring his commanding officer from place to placed, as well as carrying the heavy radio pack on missions through the heat of the jungle. He was honored to be serving the country he loved, even as much of America was protesting our country being involved in the conflict in Vietnam.

After returning to the United States, he went to Everett Jr. College for a year, and worked at Weyerhauser Mill where trees were sawn into lumber. He loved the smell of raw wood in the air! Following years found him moving across the country, to the coastal area of eastern Long Island. He married, which later ended in divorce. He owned and operated his own tree care company, Waygood Tree Service. He was an artist at work in his care of plants, fussy in his pruning so that they looked evenly groomed. He was a preserver of life, as well, doing everything he knew how to keep plants healthy and thriving.

He served his community as a member of the East Hampton Volunteer Fire Dept. and during his 20-plus years there, he was quick to respond to the alarm calls. His love of cooking also found him int the department kitchen, where he would prepare special meals from time to time, a favorite being the St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage dinner for his hook and ladder fire Company, #1. He also enjoyed playing Santa at the department’s Christmas party, and for other local children’s groups at the elementary and nursery schools.

In 1996, he married Kathleen B. O’Sullivan, and together they enjoyed the beaches of East Hampton, road trips, camping, canoeing and family life with their blended family of 7 children. Mike was a caregiver, in every sense of the word. He had a special bond with his mother-in-law, and for the years following their move south, Kathleen and Mike, as well as their girls, made sure she was well-taken care of. When Mike entered the family, his arms and heart were open to the children born to his wife, and he became “Papa”, their bonus Dad, to each one of them and to the grandchildren. His love and concern for them was evident in his every word and action, never one to give advice, but to listen and to offer options, if the younger ones brought up a discussion.

In 2006, they moved to South Carolina where they bought their home and lived as a retired couple, enjoying endless conversations which often revolved around food, from their front porch. Their home is sometimes bursting at the seams with family, especially on holidays, where “Papa” would prepare delicious meals which he had planned and shopped for…months prior! He was happiest when he could be in his kitchen, cooking, or when he could talk about food! It gave him great pleasure to serve a great meal!

His love of the environment would often find him outdoors, in the yard or his garden. He spent his first hour of every day, alone on the back steps, “surveying his estate” as he put it. He would have his quiet time and conversations with the Lord, enjoying the gifts of God’s creation. Then he’d plan what might accomplish that day. Before his heart disease, which was diagnosed in October of 2024, he was actively caring for his plants and trees in the yard. When he wasn’t “doing”, he was thinking about how to prune of plant or weed or feed the living things he cared about. He was thrilled to see the blooming of the Weeping Cherry when it burst forth each Spring with what looked like popcorn! He loved trees and it upset him to see so many that were needlessly taken down. At the end of daylight, he made sure to fill the birdbaths with water, so that the birds “would be happy”. Evenings would find him back on his front porch, watching the skies for planes, star-gazing, predicting the weather and just enjoying the physical world around him.

Mike’s life was filled with service prompted by his loving heart. His personality was one of joy. His quick wit kept his audience in laughter. On April 8, 20205, his precious, giving heart gave up, and his spirit quietly left us to be with his Lord. We all are left with a broken heart in his absence, but we are comforted with the memory of our beloved Papa, who did all that he could, in any way that he could, to help someone else, or to leave them with a smile on their face. And so, through the tears, we can remember him, his love for…and find our smiles again.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Chapel of Robinson Funeral Home, Downtown.

Farewell, dear Papa. As we used to say when we parted, “We’ll see ya when we see ya.”

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory-Downtown, Easley.