Michael Allen Vermilya

Michael Allen Vermilya, 61, of Roxboro, NC died Sunday, September 13, 2026. Mike was born in Las Cruces, NM on Friday, August 13, 1965. He was a graduate of Williams High School in Burlington, NC and the Nashville Auto/Diesel Technical College. He worked for Bumpass Ford in Roxboro and since 1999 at Bowes Collision Center for his long-time boss and friend Donald Bowes. Mike restored military vehicles and attended military rallies where he displayed his current project vehicle. He built racing quads for his sons to race when they were younger. Mike and Brenda volunteered at Aloha Safari Zoo in Cameron, NC where they assisted with animal care and habitat maintenance. Mike’s favorite resident was Rucker, an orphaned monkey, that became his buddy. Mike loved animals and always had four-legged fur babies at home. Giant Mastiffs, Diesel and Diva and later his Bernadoodle, Dixon and beagle mix, Daisy Mae. He enjoyed salt- water aquaria, going to the beach and most of all spending time with his family and many friends. Mike is survived by his wife of 39 years, Brenda Hazel Vermilya; sons and daughters-in-law, Allen and Jessica Vermilya and Brian and Tori Vermilya, all of Roxboro. Brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Teri Vermilya, Acworth, GA; sister, Kristi Johnson of Burlington, NC 5 grand-children, Kaylyn Pope, Braydyn Vermilya, Alexa Vermilya, Jacob Vermilya and Jake Vermilya. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. The “Fight Like Mike” Memorial/Benefit will be held Saturday, September 26 beginning at 11:30 am at the Bushy Fork Grange Hall. Please contact Bowes Collision Center at 336-597-4431 for more information.