Robert Michael "Mike" Kavanaugh, 73, died on Friday, April 3, 2020, at his home in Vicksburg, Miss.

Born on March 28, 1947, Mr. Kavanaugh was a 1965 graduate of Jett High School. He received an associate degree from Hinds Community College, where he played football and was named to the junior college all-star team. He also attended Mississippi College, and most notably, owned the Rocking Horse Motors car dealership in Vicksburg for more than 40 years.

In addition to his love of cars, Mr. Kavanaugh was an accomplished sporting clays AA-ranked competitive shooter and certified sporting clays instructor, volunteering his time to give lessons to all who were interested. He served as an officer in the Mississippi Sporting Clays Association for 25 years and enjoyed coordinating many charitable sporting clays events, such as benefits for the Warrior Bonfire Program, Vicksburg's Old Courthouse Museum, the Wounded Warrior project, the Boy Scouts, and the Southern Heritage Air Foundation.

He enjoyed several hobbies, including horses, golf, gun collecting and, especially, to "buy, sell and trade." He enjoyed history, humor and helping others, finding a way to make those he encountered feel special and important. He was generous and proud of his family, whom he loved deeply. He enjoyed his role as "Papaw" and loved to attend his grandchildren's activities.

He was a member of Saint Paul's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, the MS Independent Auto Dealers Association, the Vicksburg Gun Club and the Capitol Gun Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Katie Arlene and Robert C. Kavanaugh; his brother Pat Kavanaugh; and special aunts Katherine Hawkins and Margaret Martin.

He is survived by his wife Janie Pharr Kavanaugh; daughter Kay Kavanaugh McDaniel; son Michael Kavanaugh (Katie); and four granddaughters, Sara Katherine and Meg McDaniel and Madelyn and Elise Kavanaugh; and his brother Kelly Kavanaugh (Gail); all of Vicksburg. In addition, he leaves a large extended family with many nieces and nephews whom he loved and adored.

Services to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Warrior Bonfire Program, a 501(c)(3) serving post 9/11 Purple Heart Veterans and spouses by providing adventure-based trips for therapeutic healing. Donations can be mailed to Warrior Bonfire Program, P.O. Box 1398, Vicksburg, MS 39181.