Michael "Sonny" Joseph Tebalt, Jr.

Michael Joseph Tebalt, Jr. (Sonny), 86, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.

Born in Western Pennsylvania, Sonny was the son of the late Michael J. Tebalt, Sr. and Mary Mahanovich Tebalt. He married Olympia Smith Tebalt in 1973 in Greenville, SC. They were happily married until her untimely death in 2015.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, sister Shirley Tebalt Allen, and wife Olympia. He is survived by his brother Anthony (Gail) Tebalt of Spartanburg; children Dr. Michael J. Tebalt, III (Rachel) of Seneca, Joshua J. Tebalt (Yvonne) of Charleston, Jill Williams (Dr. Evan) of Farmington, MO, and Jaqueline Bunn (Matthew) of Greenville; grandchildren Amelia and Vivien Tebalt, Olivia Tebalt, Genevieve, Josephine, and Houghton Williams, Jackson, Henry, and Natalie Bunn; and 16 nieces and nephews.

Sonny grew up in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia, moving frequently in his childhood for his father to find work at different coal mines. He attended Ellsworth High School in the class of 1957, where he lettered in football. He was drafted in 1960, stationed in Fort Bragg, NC as a cook, and finished Airborne Jump School. After his service he moved with his family to Greenville, SC. Sonny worked with his father in many different ventures; they sold aluminum siding in the 60s, ran a service station in the 70s, and Sonny completed refrigeration school at Greenville Tech to service Chilly Willee machines across North and South Carolina. In the early 70s, Sonny studied Tae Kwon Do and earned black belt level under the tutelage of Billy Hong. While teaching at Billy Hong’s school, he met the love of his life, Olympia, and they were married November 1st, 1973. They moved to Washington, Pennsylvania so Sonny could find reliable employment as a coal miner. Olympia was a homemaker and Sonny worked as a coal miner for 30 years. Their goal was to retire back to SC, which they did 10 years ago.

Sonny had a long and interesting life. He had an adventuresome spirit, and he was a man of faith. He especially enjoyed playing cards, fishing, hiking, gardening, construction, tinkering, and making gardening features with found objects. He loved chickens, hogs and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also loved reading popular history and politics. He was a member of the Jessop employees club and Pulaski club in Washington, PA and attended the Tri-State Country Club of Sapphire, NC with his son Joe. He was a member of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church of Greenville and attended a weekly men’s group bible study. Above all Sonny loved his family and was happiest when everyone was together.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 16th, at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 717 Buncombe Road, Greenville, SC. Flowers and condolences may be sent to 310 Piney Mountain Rd., Greenville, SC 29609. Condolences may also be expressed by visiting his online memorial at www.pettyfuneralhome.com .

Petty Funeral Home & Crematory

Landrum, SC

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