Editor’s note: The following is a statement from the Dawidow family.

SOPOT, Poland (BNc) — Michael Ray Lipe Dawidow, 29, died suddenly in Sopot, Poland on Jan. 1, 2011 of a massive heart attack. “Mikey” was the only son of Mike and Molly Lipe Dawidow; brother of Annabelle Dawidow of Oxford and Pope, Miss.; and grandson of Ray (deceased) and Belle Lipe of Pope, Miss. and of Walenty and Anna (deceased) Dawidow of Sopot, Poland.

Mikey was born in Vienna, Austria and attended schools in Austria and later in Poland when his family moved there in the early 1990’s. He spent many childhood summers in Mississippi with his grandfather, “Ray Ray”.

Mikey was a kind and thoughtful Christian man, a member of the Sopot Church of Christ, and he lived a life of service to others. From his earliest childhood, he helped his family in their Bible distribution, humanitarian and mission efforts in Austria, Poland and other countries of eastern Europe, accompanying his father on humanitarian convoys and preaching trips. He was loved and appreciated by a host of friends and neighbors who along with his family mourn his passing.

He worked with Elite Crete Polska.

Funeral services will be held at the Sopot church “Kosciol Chrystusowy” at ul. Obr. Westerplatte 21 in Sopot, Poland on Friday, January 7 at 10 a.m. Central European Time with his father, grandfather and Mr. Ed Wharton of Lubbock, Texas and Larry Lipe of Baton Rouge, La., officiating. Vocal music will be by the Sopot Concert Choir Mundus Cantat. Interment will be in the Dawidow family crypt at the Sopot Communal Cemetery.

Mikey’s mother, Molly, was in Pope, Miss., visiting family for Christmas when she heard of her son’s tragic death and returned to Poland on Jan. 2 with Annabelle and accompanied by her brother, Larry Lipe.

Condolences may be mailed to the Dawidow family at P.O. Box 150, 81-967 Sopot, Poland. Memorials may be sent to the Polish Mission, P.O. Box 2073, Batesville, MS  38606.

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