George Michael Counts, Jr.

AIKEN – George Michael “Mike” Counts, Jr., 56, loving husband of the late Cynthia Marsh Counts, and beloved son of the late George Michael Counts, Sr., passed away Friday, February 3, 2017. The family will receive friends beginning at 12:00 Noon until 2:00 PM on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at Cedar Creek Church, Banks Mill Campus, and the funeral service will begin at 2:00 PM with the Reverend Lee Phillips and Reverend Phillip Lee officiating.  Interment will follow in Southlawn Cemetery. A lifelong resident of Aiken, Mike was a supervisor for SRR at the Savannah River Site.  He was Chief Load Master of 317th Squadron of the United States Air Force Reserves, Charleston, SC.  A lover of aviation, he was a longtime hot air balloon pilot and enthusiast.  He is survived by his daughter, Katelyn Counts (Corey) Callahan, Greenville, a sister, Elizabeth Counts (Victor) Darrow, Suwanee, GA; nephew Jared Alston Darrow; his mother, Lois Ellen Cromer Counts, Aiken; and dear friends Margaret and Ray Kearse.  Memorials may be direct to the Aiken SPCA, 199 Willow Run Rd., Aiken, SC 29801, or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 . SHELLHOUSE-RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 715 E. PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC Mike’s online guest book may be signed at www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of George Michael Counts, Jr., please visit our flower store.