Michael Mike Wayne Gee

Michael Wayne Gee, age 60, went to be with Jesus on January 23, 2012 after a short illness. Mike was born October 12, 1951 in Snyder, Texas, the youngest of six children. His family lived in several Texas towns throughout his childhood. Mike graduated from Bovina High School, Bovina, Texas in 1970.

Mike attended the University of Texas at Arlington on a debate scholarship his freshman year. He worked as a summer camp counselor at Camp Christmas Tree, an Amarillo YMCA program, and decided to continue working with the YMCA while attending college. He became the aquatic director at the Amarillo YMCA. Mike graduated from West Texas University in 1974 and moved to Washington, Indiana to become the aquatic director for the new aquatic addition. Mike was the local age group competitive swim coach. Mike married Martha Briggs in Amarillo on June 5, 1976. The couple lived in Washington for two years until they moved to Jasper, Indiana and founded a new swim club in the Jasper and Santa Claus, Indiana area. They later moved to Santa Claus, Indiana and he continued to work with the new swim club, including coaching the high school swim program. In 1981 Mike and Martha moved to Evansville, Indiana to coach a competitive age group swim program associated with the University of Evansville. Mike coached a swimmer through the 1984 Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, Indiana. While living in Evansville, Mike and Martha had three children: Amanda, Amberle, and Seth. Mike then became a program director for the Evansville YMCA.

After Mike's father, John Gee, passed away unexpectedly in 1988 the family decided to move back to Texas. Mike began working with the Austin YMCA in February, 1989. The family moved to Austin in 1989, then to their current home in Goldenwood West in 1990. Shortly thereafter, Mike began working for the Texas Department of Human Services as a public information officer. When a new state agency, the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (PRS) was created, Mike transferred to the PRS to provide information to the public. Mike coordinated with several state agencies and national media services during the Branch Davidian standoff in Waco in 1993. in 1999, Mike had the opportunity to work at Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation and became the assistant vice president for communications.

Mike encouraged his children in positive activities such as church, school, scouts and athletics and was a vocal sideline supporter in his frequent attendance to their extracurricular activities. He coached the Dripping Springs Youth Sports Association basketball for several years. Mike emphasized the importance of enjoying the activity, fair play, and putting forth the best effort that one possibly can.

Mike was one of the founding partners of Gateway Hill Country Church in Dripping Springs. He served on the finance committee, was a reach group leader, and was heavily involved in process of upgrading the church website. Mike was part of the set up crew for the church-on-wheels while the church met in an elementary school.

Mike was an photography enthusiast and especially enjoyed taking nature and scenic settings. He loved to travel with his family around the country and to visit extended family. He had a passion for genealogy and had made great progress in his search for ancestors. Mike was an avid University of Texas Longhorn fan, especially the football and basketball teams. Mike loved his exotic chinchillas, especially when they had babies. Mike's greatest joy was being father and he enjoyed a close relationship with all of his children. Mike was a loving and faithful husband for 35 years to his wife.

Mike was predeceased by his parents, John and Beatrice Gee, and two brothers, John David (an infant) and James Edward Gee, and two nephews, David Gee and Johnny Gee. He is survived by his wife Martha Briggs Gee and his three children and their spouses, Amanda and Cooper Day, of Hurst, Texas, Amberle and James Carter, of Austin, and Seth Gee of Clear Lake, Texas and his girlfriend Kristin Minei, of Houston, Texas. Sisters JoAnn McCormick and husband Bill McCormick, of Snyder, Texas and Linda Henderson, of Katy, Texas; brothers Charles and wife Jean Gee, of Houston, Texas, and Gerald and wife Karen Gee, of Fort Smith, Arkansas and sister-in-law, Evelyn Gee, of San Antonio, Texas. Also surviving are mother-in-law, Faye Briggs, of Amarillo, Texas, brother-in-law Rob and wife Annie Briggs, of Amarillo, Texas and sister-in-law Mary and husband Ralph Kerchner, Pensacola, Florida. Nieces and nephews include Marci Dennis, Terri Piel, Lori Wells, Rick Gee, Pam Monck, Kim Melton, Jason Gee, Lisa Haynes, Allen Gee, Steve Gee, Bill Gee, Jeff Henderson, Dan Henderson, Randy Henderson, Chris Henderson, Sabrina Workman, Alisha Grady, Tabitha Hines, Dax Kerchner and Holly Kerchner. Mike had 33 great nieces and nephews and 5 great-great nieces/nephews.

The family would like to acknowledge the exceptional care Mike received by the CCU staff at the Heart Hospital including several outstanding and caring nurses and physicians.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 27, 2012 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jeff Jackson of Gateway Hill Country Church officiating. Peter Jackson and Brinna DeGroote will lead the music. The music will be "Blessed Be His Name", "I Can Only Imagine" and "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)". Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park. A celebration gathering and meal hosted by Gateway Hill Country Church will follow in the "warehouse" or church meeting location.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contribution be made in honor of Michael to the Gateway Hill Country Church Radio Ministry, 14121 W. Hwy 290, Bldg 7, Austin, TX 78737.