Michael Allan Likavec

Michael Allan Likavec, 76, passed away on June 10, 2026, at Chippenham Hospital.

Michael was born November 30, 1949 in Georgia to the late Henry and Margaret (Hullett) Likavec. He spent his early years growing up in Portsmouth, Ohio, and went on to serve in the United States Navy during the Vietnam Conflict. After honorable discharge, he graduated from Ohio University with both Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in journalism. His graduate studies took him to the University of Toledo College of Law where he earned a J.D. in 1976. Michael was admitted to the bar first in Ohio and then Virginia. During his career, he practiced as a public defender in Athens Ohio, an assistant attorney general in Virginia, and a vice president and claims specialist at Marsh McLennan.

If there were two constants in Mike's life, they were learning and friendship. His wife Janet fell in love with him partially because he always had a paperback book in his coat pocket. He read broadly and could speak knowledgeably on many topics but did not tend to dominate conversations, preferring instead to listen.

His drive to learn led him to aviation, photography, and amateur radio, among other interests. Of these, he was probably most passionate about flying. He took his first solo flight in the late 60s. The rest of his training was put on hold while he served in the Navy. After returning to civilian life, Michael became an accomplished pilot and flight instructor, logging over 4,000 flight hours. He earned the pilot certificates of Airline Transport Pilot and Glider Pilot. He held ratings as instrument instructor airplane, flight instructor, flight instructor multiengine, and glider instructor. For Michael, flying was about more than earning ratings. It was also about forming strong and lasting friendships with those who shared his passion for flight.

Michael incorporated his aviation interests into his love of photography to capture amazing aerial photographs, as well as ground photos of aircraft, but his love of photography extended well beyond aviation. A fun collection of his images is available for all to view at SkyhawkVa.com.

As with aviation, Michael's interest in amateur radio began during his teenage years when he was mentored by engineers and on-air personalities at his local ratio station. He was a licensed amateur radio operator and had life-long friends through ham radio.

Michael was a kind and generous person who freely shared his knowledge and talents with others. He will be profoundly missed.

Michael is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Raymond Likavec; sister, Phyllis Taylor; and brother-in-law, Edward Boll. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Janet Lynch; his sister, Rosemary Boll; brothers-in-law, David Lynch and Lyle Older; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Older, Abby Lynch, and Linda Likavec; many nieces and nephews to include Adam Lynch (Kelly Joyce), Tyler Lynch (Lizzie Vermillion), Brenda Ann Likavec, Christopher Boll, Heather (David) Robinson, Magdalen Boll, Elizabeth (Jon) Larabee, Lauranne (Sean) Carmean, and Theresa (Rodney) McAllister; as well as a multitude of dear friends.

Funeral services will be held at St John's Episcopal Church, 12201 Richmond St, Chester, Virginia on June 22, 2026, at 11:00 am. The family will accept friends one hour prior to the service at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at 2:00 pm at the Amelia Virginia Veterans Cemetery, 10300 Pridesville Road, Amelia Court House, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Colonial Heights Food Pantry (chfoodpantry.org), Feed More (feedmore.org), or a charity of the donor's choosing.