Michael Shelton McGehee, age 72, of Freeport, Florida, passed from this life and into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior on March 13, 2025. Heaven has called back its earth angel.

Born December 21, 1952, in Oakland, California (on the solstice), the son of Shelton Wayne McGehee and Eve (West) McGehee, he was a military son and lived in various places after the passing of his mother in 1955.  Michael was happy to grow up in Bogalusa, Louisiana, with his grandparents Dera and Ezekiel McGehee and his loving family.  Stepmother, Dorothy McGehee, raised him as her own son and he was forever grateful for her love and kindness, and for the love of his brothers and sisters.  He then lived in Dover, Delaware and Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He met and married Patricia Ann (Parry) McGehee while in Fort Walton Beach.  She was his whole heart, and they had 54 years of a love story worth writing about.  Michael and Patricia relocated to Marietta, Georgia; Angleton, Texas; and Wasilla, Alaska, where they raised their family of three children along the way, a boy and two girls.  Michael and Patricia moved back to Florida in 2015 and settled in Santa Rosa Beach and Freeport, Florida, where he passed.

Michael spent his life trying to make the best life possible for his family and everyone he met; trained in numerous areas of expertise and held a long career as a Planning Engineer in the oil industry in Alaska.  Michael's career was held at Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (1980 to 1995) and then for various Northshore construction contractors, providing service to British Petroleum, ConocoPhillips, and ExxonMobil.  Major projects included Pump Station 1 Fire Mainline Check Valve Actuator Upgrade; Ballast Water Re-line (institute-form); Mile Post 200 Reroute Atigun Pass Tie Ins; Mainline Replacement North Side Atigun Pass; Pump Station 10 Check Valve Replacement;  Valdez Loading Arm Replacements; Pump Station 6 Topping Unit Turnaround; Pump Station 1 Smokeless Flare Installation; miscellaneous shutdowns for pipeline and pump station repairs; Northstar; Alpine; and Point Thompson; was the Maintenance Planner for Milne Point; worked on Heavy Oil Installation at Milne Point; and was the Construction Planner for Norcon.  He retired in 2015.  Michael's legacy left in the State of Alaska will forever be the foundation for all work in the industry to come.  He was a mentor and inspiration to many.  Prior to his career in the oil industry, Michael was employed by Gulf Chemical and Brown and Root with the roles of operator/maintainer and boilermaker, as he transitioned into his long-term career role as maintenance, shutdown, and turnaround Planner.

Michael loved everyone and everything – music, nature, his furbabies (Sadie and Rosie) and most of all, his family.  He was the best father, grandfather, brother, nephew, and cousin anyone could ever ask for and his wife, children, and grandchildren (who he adored) were showered with never-ending love and support.  He was their rock, their Northstar.  Michael was a fierce provider, protector, and advisor for them all.  His love and guidance will be forever missed.  Michael enjoyed riding his motorcycles and spending hours fishing on the river; and he was a proud American, with unwavering love for God and Country.  Adding to his life and legacy – Michael was just a cool guy, and he loved life.

Michael is pre-deceased by his son, Eric Michael McGehee.  Surviving are his wife,
Patricia Ann McGehee and his daughters Dahila (McGehee) Diselrod and Michelle (McGehee) Hart (Brett Hart); granddaughters Chloe Ann McGehee, Isabelle Agatha Burris, Lilliahna Lauren Diselrod (Blayze McBrayer), and Alora Noelle Diselrod; uncle Gene McGehee; aunt LaJune Parker; his cousins Doug Parker (Lelia), Donna Blackwell (David), and Denise Parker, James Allen McGehee (Elaine), Ken McGehee (Karen), and their families; sisters Adrienne McGehee, Carmen Turnage; Ann Kain (William), and their families; brother Johnny Crosby; aunts Wilda Rester, Maxine Creel, Nell Cooksey, uncle Ray Phelps, and their families; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be later held in Bogalusa, Louisiana, where his family will join in honoring and remembering his legacy and eternal love. Michael will be interred with his ancestors and loved ones, located at his family McGehee Cemetery in Bogalusa.