David Michael (Mikey) (Mike) Laib passed away peacefully at UF Health Shands Hospital on June 6, 2026 after being struck by a vehicle while crossing the street near his home in Gainesville, Florida on June 1st. Mikey was born in Carrollton, Georgia on August 21, 1989 and came to the Russ and Karen Laib family in 1990 as a foster child. He was a “keeper” and was adopted by Russ, Karen and Sybil in May of 1991.

Mikey was a very active, funny, friendly and giving person. He played soccer starting at age 4. He played for Newton High School in Covington, Georgia and also ran cross country. He learned to wrestle from his dad and wrestled in middle and high school, becoming a valued team member. Later he was an assistant wrestling coach for his young cousins in Clarke County, Virginia.

Mikey was active in church and served as a youth elder at First Presbyterian Church in Covington, Georgia. He was also active in the Boy Scouts of America and attained his Eagle Scout in 2007. Mike graduated from Newton County High School in 2007 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He completed bootcamp at the Great Lakes Training Center in July of 2008. He was assigned to the US Winston Churchill, DDG81, a guided missile destroyer, as a Boatswain’s Mate. He also served as Coxswain of Rigid Inflatable Boats(RIBS). Mike went around the world with the Winston Churchill and saw action in the Gulf of Aden and several other places. He earned two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (NAM) during his active duty. He received an honorable discharge in May of 2012.

Mike was a skilled worker who had certifications not only from the Navy but from Lord Fairfax Community College, “Multi-Job Technician”; CDA Technical Institute, “Air/Mixed Gas Commercial Diver and Maritime Welder”; and Heavy Equipment Colleges of America, “Heavy Equipment Operations - Levels I and II,” “Mobile Crane,” and “Lattice Boom Crawler Crane.”

In addition to his worldwide travel with the Navy, Mike had jobs that took him to many places in the U.S. and he made friends everywhere he went. His jobs ranged from pizza maker, to deckhand on commercial salmon fishing boats, to iron worker, to welder on data centers, to commercial diver. He lived in Virginia, Alaska, Wisconsin, Georgia and Florida.

In the latter part of 2021, he moved to Florida and eventually ended up in Gainesville. During this time, he applied for and eventually was granted full disability from the Department of Veterans Affairs. While on disability, he volunteered at an organization which fixes bicycles for use by veterans and was active in the Peer Spirituality Group at the VA. He inherited his beloved dog Emily from a fellow veteran who passed away. In addition to his friendliness and sense of humor, Mike was known for attempting to help others as he tried to live out his Christian faith. His last act of giving was to donate his organs to as many as five other people so they might live longer lives.

Mike is survived by his mother, Karen Cole Laib; sister, Sybil Laib Hernandez; maternal grandmother Patricia M. Cole; girlfriend Molly Van Den Berge; and many nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. 

His ashes will be interred at Lawnwood Memorial Park in Covington, GA, at 10:00 am on July 18, 2026 in a brief graveside ceremony followed by a celebration of life at First Presbyterian Church, 1169 Clark St. SW, Covington, GA, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, gifts to First Presbyterian Church of Covington, GA or to the Gofundme.com (search Mikey Laib) site for the family will be most appreciated.