Obituary for Dr. David Michael Cline, MD

Dr. David Michael "Mickey" Cline, MD, age 78, of Boone, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Born on October 1, 1947, in Maryville, Tennessee, Mickey was the son of William Albert Cline and Frances Beulah (Cass) Cline. From an early age, Mickey possessed a deep curiosity and a desire to help others, traits that naturally led him to a lifelong career in medicine.

Mickey earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Wofford College in 1969 and his Doctor of Medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1973. Following medical school, he served on active duty as a captain in the U.S. Army. Stationed in Bad Kissingen, Germany, he was assigned to the 31st Medical Detachment at Daley Barracks, where he served for two years as Officer in Charge of a primary care medical clinic. Following military service, he returned to complete his residency in Family Medicine at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.

For more than five decades, Dr. Cline dedicated his life to healing. After completing his residency, he moved to Boone where he opened and operated his own family medicine practice, caring for thousands of patients with a combination of exceptional diagnostic skill and genuine empathy. Known for building relationships with his patients, Dr. Cline viewed medicine not simply as a profession, but as a calling.

As a nature enthusiast, Mickey was also deeply committed to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of Boone. In 1984, during a period of increasing development, he sparked and helped lead a major beautification project that planted hundreds of trees along Boone's highways and town property. Mickey brought together civic leaders, community partners, artists, and volunteers to ensure that Boone's growth included thoughtful attention to trees, landscaping, and the mountain town's scenic character.

Mickey enjoyed an active and full life beyond medicine. He loved sports, playing in basketball and volleyball leagues, later taking up pickleball, and spending winters on the slopes as an avid skier and ski patrol volunteer. He enjoyed traveling, camping, scuba diving, photography, and art. Music was a lifelong passion, beginning when he became the pianist for Trinity United Methodist Church in Aiken, South Carolina, at just 16 years old and continuing through his most recent pursuit—learning to play the bass guitar.

Above all, Mickey was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, scientific mind, quick wit, grounded faith, and deep love for others. He approached every chapter of his life with both a sense of adventure and a quiet desire to make things better.

Mickey is survived by his wife, Claire; his son, Adam (Traci); his stepson, Richard Wilkie (Deanna); his grandchildren, Pierson, Maylin, Hannah, and Luke; and Adam's mother, Ann Shideler. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, William and Sam.

A celebration of Dr. Cline's life and legacy will be held on July 18, 2026, at 2:00PM at Boone United Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, https://give.michaeljfox.org.

Online condolences may be sent to the Cline family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.