July 18th, 2026

Good evening, everyone.

I wanted to take a moment to share one final update with all of you.

Today, we laid my father-in-law, Brett McMichael, to rest. While our hearts are shattered, the service was absolutely beautiful—one that truly honored the incredible man he was. I know without a doubt that he would have loved every single moment of it.

Watching him take his final ride on the back of a firetruck was something I will never forget. As his fellow firefighters stood in salute, honoring one of their own, it was a powerful reminder of the life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind. Then came his final call over the radio. Hearing those words echo through the air brought tears to so many eyes. It was a farewell filled with honor, respect, and love.

One of the moments that will stay with us forever was watching my husband receive his father's firefighter helmet—a symbol of the dedication, courage, and selflessness his dad carried throughout his life. I was handed a single red rose, a simple but deeply meaningful gesture that I will treasure forever.

There are no words big enough to describe the emptiness we feel. We will miss our bonus dad every single day. Our hearts ache, especially for my husband, who has lost not only his father but one of his greatest role models, and for our babies, who will grow up missing the hugs, stories, laughter, and love of the grandfather who adored them so deeply. His absence leaves a space that can never truly be filled.

The amount of love shown today was overwhelming in the most beautiful way. Seeing so many family members, friends, firefighters, and members of the community come together to celebrate his life was a testament to the kind of man Brett was. He touched so many lives, and it was evident that he was loved beyond measure.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Thank you for every donation, every prayer, every kind message, every meal, every hug, and every act of kindness you've shown our family during this unimaginable time. Your support has carried us through some of our darkest days, and we will never be able to express how grateful we truly are.

Although our goodbye came far too soon, we find comfort in knowing that his watch here is over. He served his family, his community, and his brothers and sisters in the fire service with honor until the very end. His legacy of courage, compassion, and unconditional love will continue to live on through all of us.

Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we learn to navigate this new reality without him. We love you, Brett. Thank you for everything you've given us. Until we meet again, we will carry your memory in our hearts every single day.

July 14th, 2026

**Good morning, everyone.**

We wanted to take a moment to share an update and thank each of you for the incredible love, prayers, and support you have shown our family during this difficult time.

As many of you know, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, **Brett McMichael**, passed away on **Saturday, July 11**, following his decision to give the gift of life through organ donation.

Before surgery, Brett was honored with an **Honor Walk**, a moving tribute recognizing his final act of selflessness. Through the donation of both of his kidneys and his liver, Brett saved **three lives**. Three individuals have been given the opportunity to spend more time with their loved ones, celebrate future milestones, and create memories that may not have otherwise been possible.

While our hearts ache with the loss of Brett, we find comfort in knowing that his kindness did not end with his passing. Those who knew Brett know that helping others was simply who he was. He had a remarkable way of leaving every person, every place, and every situation better than he found it. He was a devoted husband, a loving family man, a faithful friend, and a pillar of our community. His generosity, compassion, and unwavering willingness to serve others will continue to live on—not only in our memories, but quite literally through the lives he has saved.

We are deeply grateful for every moment we were blessed to share with Brett, and we are at peace knowing that a part of him will continue to make a difference in this world.

As our family navigates this heartbreaking loss, we are also asking for the community's support. We are continuing to raise funds to help cover hospital expenses, funeral costs, and the financial challenges ahead for Brett's wife, **Donna McMichael**.

Donna lives with chronic lung disease and is disabled, leaving her unable to work. Brett was not only her husband but also her primary caregiver. Throughout her life, Donna has endured unimaginable loss—her parents, two of her three children, nearly all of her siblings, and now the love of her life. The road ahead will be incredibly difficult, and we are hoping to surround her with the same love and generosity that Brett so freely gave to others.

If you are able, we humbly ask that you consider sharing our GoFundMe, keeping Donna and our family in your prayers, or making a donation of any amount. No act of kindness is too small, and every share, prayer, and contribution means more than words can express.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing beside our family during this time. Your compassion has been a source of strength, and we will be forever grateful.

With heartfelt gratitude,

**The McMichael Family**

July 12th, 2026

Good morning, everyone,

We would like to share an update with all who have surrounded our family with love and prayer during this difficult time.

Yesterday at 2:00 p.m. (Georgia time), family and friends accompanied Brett on his final honor walk at Atrium Health Navicent Hospital in Macon, Georgia. The hallways were filled with well over one hundred people—loved ones, lifelong friends, former teachers, pastors, coworkers, and even those whose lives Brett had touched only briefly. Many wore red, Georgia Bulldogs attire, or firefighter shirts in tribute to him.

As Brett made his final journey through those halls, a moving rendition of “Amazing Grace” echoed around us, creating a moment of profound beauty and grace. Before he was taken to the operating room for the organ donation process, Brett was surrounded by his wife, parents, brother, nieces and nephews, dear friends, and pastor, who joined together in prayer and laid their hands upon him in love and thanksgiving for the life he lived.

It was a truly beautiful farewell, and we know Brett would have been deeply touched to see so many gathered in his honor.

Last evening, at approximately 10:42 p.m., Brett was called home to be with Jesus. Though his earthly journey has ended, we find comfort in knowing that he now rests in everlasting peace in the presence of our Heavenly Father.

Even in his final moments, Brett continued to embody the kindness for which he was known. Through organ donation, he gave the precious gift of life to others—one last selfless act that reflects the generous spirit he carried throughout his life.

We ask for continued prayers for Brett’s beloved wife, Donna; his parents; his brother, Jason; his son, Landon; his grandchildren; and all who loved him dearly. The GoFundMe established for Donna remains active to help with medical and funeral expenses, as well as the many challenges that lie ahead. Donna lives with chronic lung disease, requires continuous oxygen, and Brett faithfully served as her primary caregiver and provider.

From the depths of our hearts, thank you to everyone who has prayed for us, offered words of comfort, donated, and walked beside our family during this time. Your compassion has been an immeasurable blessing.

With gratitude,

The McMichael Family

July 10th, 2026

Good afternoon, everyone.

I wanted to take a moment to share a brief update with you all.

This Saturday, Brett will make one final walk through the hospital in Macon, Georgia. During this walk, he will be surrounded by family and loved ones, lifted up in prayer as we walk beside him one last time until the day we are reunited in heaven.

Following this, Brett will be taken to the operating room, where the surgeons and medical team will begin the organ donation process. Although our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing that through this extraordinary gift of life, Brett's legacy will continue. While we do not know who the recipients will be, we pray they are blessed with longer, healthier lives because of his selfless gift. Brett has always been a man of remarkable strength, compassion, and generosity. It is our hope that those who receive a part of him will carry with them not only the gift of life, but also a lasting reminder of the incredible man he was.

Shortly afterward, Brett will go home to be with our Lord, where he will receive a new and perfect body. He will know a life free from sickness, pain, suffering, heartache, and tears. Instead, he will experience everlasting peace, endless joy, and perfect love in the presence of our Savior.

While our hearts ache with the thought of saying goodbye, we find hope and comfort in God's promise that this is not the end. It is only a temporary farewell. We look forward to the glorious day when we will see Brett again, worship our Lord together, and spend eternity reunited with him in a place where death has no victory and love never ends.

Thank you all for your continued prayers, love, and unwavering support. Your kindness has carried our family through some of our darkest moments, and we are deeply grateful. We ask that you continue to keep Brett, our family, the medical team, and the organ recipients in your prayers in the days ahead.

At this time, the GoFundMe established for Brett's wife, Donna, remains active. As many of you know, Donna is disabled, and the donations will help ease the financial burden of medical expenses, funeral costs, and the many unforeseen needs she may face in the coming months. If you are able to contribute or share the fundraiser, our family would be sincerely grateful. Most of all, we ask that you continue to lift Donna in your prayers as she navigates this incredibly difficult journey.

Until we meet again, Brett. You will forever be loved, deeply missed, and never forgotten.

July 8th, 2026

As of yesterday, our family had made the incredibly difficult decision to remove Brett from life support on Thursday, July 9. However, God, alongside Brett's medical team, had other plans.

Brett made the selfless decision to become an organ donor. In honor of that extraordinary gift, the hospital will hold an Honor Walk for him on Saturday, July 11, at 2:00 p.m. (Georgia time).

What we believed would be Brett's final act of kindness has become something even more courageous, memorable, and heroic. Through the gift of organ donation, Brett will save and improve the lives of countless people.

Many of you know that my father-in-law proudly served as a volunteer firefighter for 35 years. He didn't serve because he had to—he served because he genuinely loved helping others. Throughout his life, Brett answered the call to save lives, and even in his final moments on this earth, he continues that legacy by giving others the chance to live.

At this time, we do not know how many recipients will receive Brett's gifts, nor can we share any personal information due to hospital privacy regulations and HIPAA. As we learn more, I will continue to share updates.

Our family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers, love, donations, kind words, and support during this incredibly difficult time. Your compassion has meant more than we can express.

The GoFundMe will remain active to help support Brett's wife, Donna, who is disabled, with hospital expenses, household bills, and funeral costs.

With sincere gratitude

The McMichael Family

July 7th 2026:

Good morning, everyone,

I wanted to take a moment to provide you all with an update on our beloved Brett McMichael.

On Friday, June 26, 2026, my father-in-law, Brett McMichael, was performing what would become his final act of kindness when a cemetery monument unexpectedly collapsed, leaving him critically injured and unconscious. He was immediately airlifted to a hospital in Macon, Georgia, where an incredible team of medical professionals fought alongside him as he fought for his life.

Throughout the past several days, we held onto hope and prayed for a miracle. Sadly, on July 6, our family met with Brett's medical team to discuss his prognosis and the quality of life he would face moving forward. After many heartfelt conversations, difficult prayers, and with heavy hearts, the decision was made to remove Brett from life support this Thursday.

This has been one of the most difficult decisions his wife, Donna, has ever had to make. Donna has endured more loss than anyone should ever have to bear, having already lost both of her parents, her siblings, two of her three biological children, and now she must prepare to say goodbye to Brett—the love of her life, her greatest supporter, and her devoted caregiver.

In the three short years that I was blessed to know Brett, he welcomed me into his family as though I were one of his own. He was a man of tremendous kindness, generosity, and unwavering faith. I truly could not have asked for a better father-in-law or a more loving grandfather to my children. His impact on our lives will never be forgotten.

While this decision has been incredibly painful, we find peace in knowing that Brett's faith was strong. We take comfort in believing that when Jesus calls him home, he will be welcomed into Heaven, free from pain and surrounded by everlasting peace.

At this time, the fundraiser remains active. Any support will help Donna with the overwhelming medical expenses, funeral costs, and the financial challenges that lie ahead. Donna is disabled and lives with chronic lung disease, requiring oxygen 24 hours a day. Because of her condition, she is unable to work, and Brett was her primary caregiver and source of support.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for every prayer, kind message, donation, and act of love you have shown our family during this unimaginable time. Your compassion has carried us through some of our darkest days, and we are deeply grateful for each and every one of you.

With heartfelt gratitude,

The McMichael Family

June 26th 2026:

Hello, everyone. My name is Grace McMichael, and I am creating this GoFundMe for my father-in-law, Brett McMichael, and my mother-in-law, Donna McMichael.

Yesterday morning, while Brett was cutting grass at the cemetery of Juliette United Methodist Church in Juliette, Georgia, a tragic accident occurred. Brett, along with his father, known as “Pop,” and another individual, were attempting to level a monument on a gravesite using a strap so they could mow around the area. During this process, the monument gave way and struck Brett with such force that it rendered him unconscious.

He was airlifted to a hospital in Macon, Georgia, where he is currently admitted to the neurological ICU. Brett is on a ventilator and remains intubated. He has undergone surgery to remove a portion of his skull in order to relieve pressure on his brain and reduce swelling and fluid buildup. In addition, he has two broken vertebrae in his neck, a fractured or possibly broken ankle, and will require facial reconstruction surgeries along with several other procedures. At this time, there are still many unknowns, and we are taking things moment by moment.

Brett is the kind of man who never says no when someone needs help. When I first met him three years ago, he welcomed me as one of his own. If it were not for Brett, my husband, Landon McMichael, would not be the man he is today.

Brett has so much to fight for. He is the proud grandfather of 7 beautiful grandchildren: Brooks, Brooklyn, LJ, and Evee-Lou, Jackson, Victor, and bradley whom he loves more than anything in this world. He is also a devoted husband to Donna McMichael, whom he loves and supports every day. He is a beloved son to his mother, Kake, and his father, Pop.

Most importantly, Brett is a follower of Christ and loves Jesus above all else. He is a son, a brother, a husband, a father, and a grandfather who means so much to so many people.

At this time, I am asking for help to support Brett during his recovery and to support Donna as she walks through this incredibly difficult process by his side. This will be a long and uphill battle, and it will have to be taken one day at a time.

Please continue to pray for Brett during his recovery. If you are unable to contribute, we would be deeply grateful if you would share this fundraiser to help spread awareness.