Pastor Mike Fritts

“Well Done!  You have fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith.”  This was the welcomed words that Charles “Preacher Mike” Michael Fritts, 66, of Lexington heard when he went HOME to be with his Lord and Savior, whom he so fiercely served on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.

A celebration of his life will be held at 4pm on Saturday, February 11, 2023, in the Davidson Funeral Home Chapel in Lexington with Mike’s friends, Evangelist Jesse Butcher and Pastor Richard Johnson officiating.  The family will receive friends from 3 pm until 4 pm prior to the service at the Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Baptist Church, where he faithfully served as Pastor since 2000.

This sweet jewel was born in Davidson County on March 21, 1956, to Charles Grady Fritts and Lena Veigh Foster Fritts. He proudly served the Lord of his life, Jesus Christ, spreading the Gospel in the things he said and the way he lived. You couldn’t be around him for a minute without him telling you about his Jesus or giving you a track.  Sharing the Gospel of Christ was as natural to him as breathing.  He would constantly remind his family and church that the Gospel means “Good News” …that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again after 3 days, triumphant in victory over death!   “Preacher Mike” was in the ministry for over forty years, and considered it the greatest honor.  Besides Jesus, he was absolutely passionate in loving his “girls!”  In 1975, he married the love of his life, Patricia Brank Fritts, and spent his lifetime loving and cherishing her and giving her more love than most will ever know.  They truly were “one” …in loving their family and friends and serving together in the ministry.  Then came his Baby, “Brandy Michelle”…whom he loved fiercely and protectively.  He would tell anyone that she was the greatest joy of his life and he spent his life making sure she knew it!  He faithfully prayed into her life, the greatest gift, an incredible and godly man just like himself, Michael Whicker.  They were blessed with Maddie Grace and Ellie…Grandaddy’s truest sunshines.  He never left a doubt in their minds that they were his entire world and loved unconditionally!  He spent every second he could teaching them the truths of Jesus and making sure they knew Him personally.  He never missed an opportunity to play with the girls, even riding stick ponies down the beach!  He never missed a horse lesson, gymnastics practice, volleyball game or piano recital.  He made sure everyone in his life knew he was their biggest fan and greatest prayer warrior!

Besides being a faithful soldier in God’s army, Mike was grateful for his time in law enforcement.  He worked for Lexington City Police from 1977-1979.  Then he went to the Davidson County Sheriffs Department where he served for 14 years, until God led him to attend Bible College at Word of Life in New York.  Mike was an avid gun enthusiast and deer hunter, and huge NY Giants and Panthers fan.  He loved riding roller coasters, playing tennis and basketball with his girls and walking every day with his sweet sister.  He LOVED to eat and enjoyed nothing more than a big ole banana split!  He lived every second to the fullest and loved with everything he had!

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Patricia “Pat” Brank Fritts of the home; his daughter, Brandy Fritts Whicker and husband Michael, and grand”buddies” Maddie Grace and Ellie Whicker.  His brother Chris Fritts (LeAnne), sweet sisters Susan Fritts Black (Kim), and Lisa Fritts Burkhart (David), sister-in-laws “Joan” Joni Brank, and Sherry Brank.  And many nieces and nephews that he loved like his own kids.  It is the greatest honor to have had such a godly hero love us.  We will miss him with every breath until we get to join him, but celebrate with him as his faith is now sight!

The family asks that instead of flowers, memorials in Mike’s honor be made to The Gideons or Samaritan’s Purse.