Michael Lee Defrates

Michael L. DeFrates of Charlotte, Age 69, died Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013 after a short illness. Mike was born Nov. 28, 1944 in Charlotte the son of Arthur and Isabel (Kelly) DeFrates. He was a 1962 Graduate of Charlotte High School and served in the U. S. Army from 1965-67. He was a self employed painter and had been employed at Meijers of Charlotte. From 1970-75 he travelled worldwide with the Harlem Globetrotters while playing basketball for their opposing team, the Washington Generals. Surviving are: 3 brothers, Phillip J. DeFrates of Baton Rouge, LA, David A. DeFrates of Charlotte and Douglas A. DeFrates of West Covina, CA; his sister, Patricia Ann Humphrey of Tucson, AZ; lifelong friends, John & Brenda Bly of Charlotte and Wayne Brown of Grand Rapids and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 P. M. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013 at the Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte with Rev. Charles Jenson officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday from 6-8 P.M. and Saturday from 2-3 P. M. prior to services at the Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may go to the Eaton Community Palliative Care or the Healing and Recovery Center, both of Charlotte. www.burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.