Michael Ross Gage, age 58, of Bethel Springs, Tennessee, passed away on December 23, 2025. He was born on June 11, 1967, in Selmer, Tennessee, the son of Evelyn Bishop Gage and the late John Ross Gage.

Michael was an equipment operator by trade and a hard worker by nature. He spent his life in construction, running heavy equipment and doing the kind of work that required long days, strong hands, and knowing how to get the job done. He was the kind of man who could look at something broken and figure out how to make it work again. If it wouldn’t run, he’d piddle with it until it did, and he usually had a few projects going at any given time—often with a glass of sweet tea close by.

He loved the outdoors and spent many hours hunting deer, hog, and coyote, with hog hunting being a favorite. He also had a deep appreciation for animals, especially horses, and took great pride in his horse, Oakley. When he wasn’t hunting or working, Michael found contentment at home, tinkering with machinery and enjoying life at his own pace.

Family meant everything to Michael, especially his daughter and grandchildren, who brought him more joy than anything else. He was always willing to help someone out, never thinking twice about it and never expecting anything in return.

He is survived by his daughter, Whitney Bradley and husband Garrett of Sulphur Springs, Texas; his mother, Evelyn Gage of Bethel Springs, Tennessee; his brother, Greg Gage and wife Penny of Bethel Springs, Tennessee; his granddaughter, Bentlee Bradley; his grandson, Walker Bradley; his niece, Danielle Harbin of Bethel Springs, Tennessee; and his nephew, Ethan Gage and wife Hailey of Henderson, Tennessee.

In addition to his father, John Ross Gage, Michael was preceded in death by family and friends who went on before him. He will be remembered as a good man, a hard worker, and someone who lived simply, loved deeply, and left things better than he found them.