Michael A. McNamee, age 88, of Laramie, Wyoming passed away March 20, 2018. He was born May 9, 1929 in Tecumseh, Nebraska to John J. McNamee and Avis O’Loughlin. Mike grew up on a farm near Pine Bluffs, Wyoming with his three brothers, Joe, Tom and Stan. He graduated from Pine Bluffs High School in 1947. Mike served in the Army during the Korean War. He married the love of his life Ruth H. Graves on September 29, 1950 in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Mike earned his BS and MS in Plant Science from the University of Wyoming. He then worked for the Agricultural Extension Service at UW for 30 years, retiring in 1986. During his years in Laramie, Mike served on the Albany County School District #1 Board of Education for 20 years. He also served as President of the Wyoming School Board Association. Community service was important to Mike, and he was very active in Laramie and around the entire state of Wyoming. Along with coaching baseball, leading 4-H groups and volunteering at the Ivinson Museum, and Ivinson Memorial Hospital, he was a long-time member of the Albany County Farm Bureau, Elks Lodge, Laramie Genealogy Club, Presbyterian Church and Jacoby Golf Club Men’s League. UW Athletics was also a big part of his social life. Mike was a Cowboy Joe Club Member, and a season ticket holder for football and Men’s and Women’s basketball for over 50 years. Go Pokes!
Mike was preceded in death by his parents and brothers. He leaves behind his wife Ruth of 67 years, his sister-in-law Annabelle (Tom) McNamee, and children: Margie (Pat) Chinadle, Michael Jr. (Kathlene), Molly (Jeff) Wilhelm, Mark (Linda), Monte (Jean), Charlie (Diane), Tom (Kris). He will also be greatly missed by his 18 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 27, at the United Presbyterian Church in Laramie. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org, Mike McNamee Memorial.
31 Comments To "Michael A. McNamee"
#1 Comment By Anonymous On March 21, 2018 @ 6:30 pm
My sincere condolences to Charlie and the entire McNamee family- John Hilim
#2 Comment By Penny and Kenny Saunders On March 21, 2018 @ 6:51 pm
We are so very sorry for your families’ loss.
Our thoughts are with you.
#3 Comment By Laura Killean On March 21, 2018 @ 8:06 pm
So sad that Mike has passed away. He gave the best hugs and was a wonderful guy! I will miss him very much. My condolences to his family.
#4 Comment By Anonymous On March 21, 2018 @ 8:56 pm
I remember many good times with members of the McNamee family! Mike and Ruth sat by us at UW basketball games for many years. I will miss seeing Mike’s great smile. My condolences to this wonderful family. Linda Dunlavy Johnson
#5 Comment By Lori dolan On March 22, 2018 @ 5:48 am
So sorry for your loss. Mike was a very special man(cousin) to us back here in upstate NY. We all enjoyed his visits ( and his brothers visits) back east here when they would come and see Margaret Dodge( my nana). I will miss his Christmas letters as well. Love to you all, Lori Dolan, Nazareth Pa
#6 Comment By Dicksie May On March 23, 2018 @ 7:28 am
I knew Mike through his genealogy research and NARFE memberships . . . he was such a gentleman and I enjoyed our friendship. He will definitely be missed.
#7 Comment By Rob Willisl On March 23, 2018 @ 1:17 pm
My condolences to the McNamee clan. I visited with Mike at the Epson Center last month and found him to be alert and in good spirits. Too many good memories for me to recall over the years. Peace to all of you.
#8 Comment By Charis Kipper On March 23, 2018 @ 3:12 pm
I was very sad to read about your Dad’s passing. I have been thinking a lot about your Mom lately so was a shock to see your Dad had passed away. A very sad time. Prayers are with you all.
#9 Comment By Anonymous On March 23, 2018 @ 6:15 pm
So many good memories between Mike, Ruth and all the kids growing up basically with some of all of mine. Mike served several years on the school board with my husband. All in all their are lots of good memories and hope he is resting in peace. Janet Talbott
#10 Comment By Anonymous On March 23, 2018 @ 6:21 pm
I am so glad that I was privileged to know Mike and Ruth and their wonderful family . He was a wonderful role model and a kind friendly person who will be greatly missed by all who knew him . My husband served with him on the Albany County School Board and always considered him a good friend! Janet Talbott
#11 Comment By Janet Talbott On March 23, 2018 @ 7:12 pm
Please know that all who knew Mike are saddened by his passing, He was a wonderful human, role model and friend.
#12 Comment By Anonymous On March 24, 2018 @ 11:15 am
Mike’s passing brings back fond memories of Laramie American Legion baseball games watching our son’s play. We enjoyed Mike and Ruth’s company in Lake Havasu City, AZ at our Wyoming get togethers, and most recently riding the courtesy bus from Cowboy Field to the Cowboy and Cowgirl basketball games. We will miss his kind nature and positive outlook. Condolences to the family.
Joe & Lynn Benson
#13 Comment By Julie Botkin Wade On March 25, 2018 @ 2:07 pm
I’m so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. My heart goes out to the family. So many of my good memories from childhood include the McNamee family! Julie Botkin Wade
#14 Comment By Anonymous On March 25, 2018 @ 2:29 pm
Our condolences to the McNamee family. Mike was my freshman advisor at UW and we became a colleague and friend for more than 60 years. He leaves a big hole in the Laramie community and will be greatly missed by us. Church services and the Ag Alumni breakfasts will never be the same. Colin and Ruth Kaltenbach
#15 Comment By Cheryl McCormick On March 26, 2018 @ 6:20 am
Molly, my sincere condolences to you and your famiily on the loss of your dad
Cheryl Ferguson McCormick
#16 Comment By Robin Coulthard-Wangen On March 26, 2018 @ 10:54 am
Hugs & Prayers to the McNamee Family! I know he will be missed by many but his smiles live on in the faces of his family and friends.
Robin Coulthard-Wangen
#17 Comment By Scott and Charlene Lindsay On March 26, 2018 @ 11:44 am
We are so sorry for your loss, Charlie and family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.
#18 Comment By Sara A Jenkins and Family On March 26, 2018 @ 1:12 pm
So very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. Wishing you love and peace.
#19 Comment By Wyoming Public Radio/Media On March 26, 2018 @ 1:15 pm
The staff of Wyoming Public Media send condolences in the death of Michael Alan McNamee. His contributions to our community will not be forgotten. We also appreciate his support of Wyoming Public Radio.
Cindy Elrod
Broadcast Assistant
#20 Comment By Sarah Carpenter Pope, Judy & Dick Cuthbertson On March 26, 2018 @ 4:42 pm
Condolences and lots of love to the McNamee family on the passing of Mike. He was an incredible man, who leaves a wonderful legacy in his children, their children, and THEIR children. Molly, lots of prayers for you and the rest of your family.
#21 Comment By Anonymous On March 26, 2018 @ 6:35 pm
To the McNamee siblings…Your parents have been wonderful friends of the Shuster’s for over 50 years. We have visited at Sunday worship service almost every Sunday during all that time. I will miss Mike’s smile and cheery greeting week after week. Janice Shuster
Laramie.
#22 Comment By Anonymous On March 26, 2018 @ 9:25 pm
My thoughts and prayers go out to the McNamee family. I was privileged to know Mike and Ruth and their wonderful family . He will be greatly missed by all. I served with him on the Albany County School Board and always considered him a good friend! Charlotte Bruce
#23 Comment By Anonymous On March 26, 2018 @ 9:34 pm
My thoughts and prayers go out to the McNamee Family. They are a special family and I know that Mike will be missed by many. I served on the Albany County School Board with Mike and I felt that he was a great friend. Charlotte Bruce
#24 Comment By Anonymous On March 27, 2018 @ 1:56 pm
I’m sorry Jean and I were not able to attend Mike’s funeral. I had back surgery last week and I know I would not be able to sit that long. We will miss Mike. We played a lot of golf and bowled with and against one another for years. We have known Mike since the 50’s.
Bernie and Jean Kolp
#25 Comment By Ryan Fulton On March 27, 2018 @ 3:45 pm
Ruth and Children…..I am saddened to hear of your loss. I knew Mike from our times working together on educational issues. He was very likable and honest. I respected him and will remember him fondly. Ryan Fulton
#26 Comment By Judy Adams On March 27, 2018 @ 5:33 pm
I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working with Mike when he was on the school board and seeing him at the girls basketball games and the football games. I enjoyed watching all his and Ruth’s kids grow up and trying to teach them math. It was a fun time. Sorry I could not attend the funeral. You know that you had a very special husband and father. Take care
#27 Comment By Jackie Bertoglio On March 27, 2018 @ 8:17 pm
Monte and family,
Our deepest sympathy to all. I hope that wonderful memories of times shared help to ease your loss.
God bless you all.
#28 Comment By Anonymous On March 28, 2018 @ 12:40 pm
Years ago, Mike
‘s daughter was a member of my Girl Scout Troop and we were having a winter camp at the Boy Scout building in the Snowy Range. The girls got to talking about how odd it would look if their parents slept in bunk beds, and his daughter murmured “They should have.” I told that story to Mike a few months ago. He thought a minute and then roared with laughter. But I’m glad they didn’t,. We had a great neighborhood with lots of kids — a good place for them to grow up Thank you Mike and Ruth, and children and please except my condolences . Foncey Taylor (who lived on 10th St.
#29 Comment By Carolyn Herman On March 29, 2018 @ 11:07 am
My sincere condolences to you Margie and your entire family. I had the privilege of knowing Mike while working at UW in the College of Ag and at the UW Foundation. He was always very gracious and genuine. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Carolyn Nielsen Herman
#30 Comment By Charlotte Bruce On March 29, 2018 @ 6:42 pm
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Mike. Sending thoughts and prayers to his family.
#31 Comment By Katie Taylor Morgan On March 31, 2018 @ 8:18 am
On behalf of my mom, Foncey Taylor, and the rest of the family we are so sorry for your loss. We have fond memories of our nearby neighbors – the McNamee family – growing up. Since my return to Laramie I got to know Mike again through my involvement in the genealogical society. I know he will be missed.