Michael Peter Horvat passed away September 25, 2017 at his home.He was the sixteen year old son of Michael and Glada Gunnells Horvat and the brother of Ian and Kala Horvat of Athens.

Michael was an 11th grade honor student at Cedar Shoals High School where he was a member of the track and field team, the basketball team and the staff of Cedar Blue Prints magazine.He belonged to Milledge Avenue Baptist Church.Michael was a lifelong resident of Clarke County who also attended Whit Davis and Barnett Shoals Elementary Schools and Hilsman Middle School.

He enjoyed participating in sports and made many friends among his teammates, coaches and officials.He was part of the East Athens Little League team that won the City Championship when he was in elementary school and he was a member of the Hilsman Middle School boys' basketball team that won the City Championship when he was in eighth grade.As a sophomore last spring he won the Area Championship in the high jump and went on to score at the state meet where he was proud to be a part of the Cedar Shoals team that won the Class 5A State Championship in track and field.

Michael was a winner in sports, academics and life and will be greatly missed.He was a shining example of a wonderful son, grandson, brother, cousin and friend to all who knew him.He impacted many lives in his time with us.

In addition to his parents and siblings, Michael is survived by his maternal grandmother, Emily Gunnells of Athens; his uncles and aunts John and Merilee Horvat of Berlin, MD; Gail Gunnells and John Wickson of Decatur; and Ginnie and Joel Baskin of Atlanta; his great uncles and aunts Peter and Mary Horvat of Berwick, PA; Jimmy and Erwin Gunnells of Asheville, NC; and Faith Sanders of Watkinsville, GA. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Joel B. Gunnells of Athens, his paternal grandparents, John and Adaline Horvat of Berwick, PA, and his great uncle Sammy Sanders.Michael loved and was loved by his many cousins, extended family and friends.

A memorial service celebrating Michael's life will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church in Athens GA.Visitation will follow the service in the church fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to The Foundation for Excellence in Public Education, P.O. Box 1708, Athens, GA 30603 or Interfaith Hospitality Network, 393 W. Hancock Avenue #1, Athens, GA30601.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.