Charles "Mike" Michael Farris

Charles "Mike" Michael Farris, born on December 20, 1952, to the late Charles J and Frances Williams Farris, passed away on June 7, 2025, at Caromont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia.

Throughout his life, Mike became well known for his significant lottery win in 1997, a moment that brought joy and delight. Before his lottery win, Mike worked in sales for fire safety equipment and as a welder at Mt. Holly Dying Machine Company. He later owned his own lawn care company.

Mike had an unwavering passion for fishing throughout his life. He spoke of fishing with his grandfather and went on to spend numerous hours fishing local lakes and rivers including participating in many fishing tournaments. He also enjoyed collecting fishing equipment. Mike had a great affection for cats and had several throughout his life. Mike also enjoyed coin collecting and gathering golf balls from the lake.

Mike is survived by his daughter, Mallary Lewis, and her husband, Thomas; his beloved granddaughter, Fern Lewis; his sisters, Charlene Elizabeth Farris and Judy Dianne Farris; as well as his brothers, Christopher Todd Farris and David Neal Farris.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his sister, Susan Renaye Farris, and his aunts, Evelyn Farris Newman and Sarah Katherine Farris Crawford Moyle. Mike's legacy will continue to live on through his family and all who were fortunate enough to have known him.

Services will be held privately by the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either of the two organizations that Mike often donated to: Ocean Conservancy, https://oceanconservancy.org, or to The Nature Conservancy, https://preserve.nature.org.