Mike "Dusty" Mcgee

On Thursday, November 22, 2018, Michael Patrick McGee, devoted husband and father of two, passed away at age 60, after a long battle with cancer and early-onset Alzheimer's. He passed peacefully, surrounded by family, at home under hospice care. Mike "Dusty" McGee was born on December 18, 1957 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania to "BJ" Bernard James and Marguerite (Quinn) McGee. He received his engineering degree from the University of Florida in 1981 and his Master of Science in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota in 2002. He was an electrical engineer for 35 years, in Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Florida, with brief appointments in the Philippines and South Korea. For the last 30 years, Mike called Wellington, FL, home. On December 19, 1981, Mike married Valorie Dorothy Hendricks. Together, they raised one daughter, Shannon Ashley, and one son, Sean Michael. They have also raised three delightful golden retrievers, Sundance, Chewy, and Luna. Dusty was a loyal Gator and member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He had a passion for pursuing the hobbies in life that made him happy. While they ranged from duck hunting to beekeeping over the years, he fervently pursued each one. Some of his other interests included scuba diving, camping, kayaking, growing pineapples, rose gardening, woodworking, and robotics. Robotics took on a more meaningful role in his life as he became a mentor for the high school robotics competition, FIRST Robotics League, and for younger youth, the FIRST LEGO League. Mike was captivated by outer space; a passion he enthusiastically shared with his wife and children through hobby rocketry, space camp, astronomy nights, and frequent trips to Cape Canaveral to watch rocket launches and explore Kennedy Space Center. On a clear night, he could always be found outside, looking towards the stars, eager to share (with anyone nearby) the constellations, satellites, or planets within view. Another perpetual joy in his life was Scouting. Mike was a Boy Scout in his youth and a leader as a parent. He spent 12 happy years volunteering with Troop 125 and Venture Crew 2125, of Wellington, as a Den Leader, Cubmaster, Merit Badge Counselor, Troop Leader, Venture Crew Advisor, and Unit Commissioner with Gulf Stream Council. All who knew Dusty can appreciate that he would not want us to wallow in grief or remember him with sadness. He took pride in being a goofy and loving person and will be remembered for his infectious joie de vivre. Think of him, joyfully, anytime you hear his favorite music, by Jimmy Buffett, or when you celebrate his favorite offbeat holiday, Talk like a Pirate Day, with gusto every September 19. Cheers, forever to you, Dusty; cherished father, beloved husband, brother, son, scout leader, and friend. Michael was preceded in death by his father, BJ, and two of his faithful goldens, Sundance and Chewy. He is survived by his loving wife, Valorie, his affectionate golden retriever, Luna, his adult children, Shannon and Sean, his mother, Marguerite, his two sisters, Kathleen and Patricia, his two brothers, Timothy and James, and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018, at Palm's West Funeral Home (110 Business Park Way, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411) at 2:00 PM. In honor of Mike's wishes, the family requests that guests dress in vibrant colors rather than traditional black attire. In lieu of flowers, the McGee family requests that any who are interested and able, make a donation "In Memory of Michael McGee" to the Alzheimer's Community Care Center in Wellington, FL. This essential community organization helped Michael and Valorie navigate the last 6 months of Mike's active life and supported our family in ways we can never fully repay. For more information, please visit: https://www.alzcare.org/donate