Breckenridge Texan

Michael Ray Funderburg

Michael Ray Funderburg
August 05
10:13 2021

Michael Funderburg, 59, of Breckenridge, passed away on Monday, August 2, 2021. A memorial service celebrating his life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at the Lord’s Old Time Gospel Church, with Johnny Funderburg officiating.

Michael Ray Funderburg burst into this world on March 16, 1962, to parents Johnny Alvin and Geneva “Jean” (Price) Funderburg. Little did they know that he was harboring a secret… one that would not be identified for a few years. There was certainly early evidence indicating something unusual. Particularly noticed was the single gear of his internal transmission: full throttle. He did everything with his head down and fists and feet moving. It wasn’t long, however, before the obvious was seen. Whatever his outlay of DNA, it resulted in singularly one of the finest athletes to have come from Breckenridge.

In 1980, after an outstanding high school career that resulted in multiple scholarship offers from elite schools around the country, Mike decided to attend Abilene Christian University. The primary factor in his decision was the availability of his dad being able to watch him play. Mike made the same kind of impact at ACU. He was simply dominant. In the three years playing at ACU, Mike won multiple honors and MVP awards. He was also turning heads and catching attention from the professional ranks: the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks, and others began making their contacts.

However, at 22 years of age, during his collegiate senior year, tragedy struck. In the second game of the season, Mike sustained a career-ending injury. He cracked the fourth vertebra in his neck. Because of this, he would never again suit up in a football uniform. In some ways, this incident would color the rest of his life. Yet some good things happened in his life, some really good things – his two children: Brogan and Britin. These two brought great fulfillment and joy to their dad.

But negotiating life wasn’t a simple matter to Mike. This resulted in a temporary “life-in-the-ditch” scenario. Yet, in the waning months of his life, he righted the ship. He began to become the man he knew he wanted to be. He just slipped and fell, almost before he could get started.

Mike Funderburg’s life is a testament to both harsh penalty and grace. Harsh penalty: God will not be mocked, whatsoever one sows, shall he also reap. Grace: God found him and was walking him back when He called him HOME.

Memorial donations in Mike’s memory can be made to the Breckenridge High School Class of 1980 and can be left at the Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home office. Condolences can be made online at meltonkitchens.com.

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