Michael Reed Stinson, 48, of River Road, Gladstone, died Sunday, January 8, 2017 at Lynchburg General Hospital. Born November 8, 1968, in Farmville, he was a son of Linda Bryant Stinson Kraatz and the late Odessa Reed Stinson.

Michael overcame many obstacles in his life due to his condition and soared through life not wanting to be any different than others. He graduated Buckingham County High School in 1987 and went on to attend UVA where he majored in graphic design and biology. He was employed at UVA for 10 years.  Michael was an avid reader.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his stepfather, Freddie Kraatz; one stepbrother, Robert Kraatz; one stepsister, Carla Ongly; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Christopher D. Stinson and Shane D. Stinson; grandparents, Riley and Ola Stinson and Raymond and Lorine Bryant.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, January 12 at Robinson Funeral Home with the Rev. Buddy Bryant, the Rev. Buck Bryant and the Rev. Don Bryant officiating. Burial will follow in the Bryant Family Cemetery, Spears Mountain Road. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Robinson Funeral Home and other times at the residence.

Robinson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Appomattox, is serving the family and an online condolence may be sent by visiting www.robinsonfuneral.com.