Michael Wayne Midkiff

On May 25, 2021, after a hard-fought battle with cancer, Michael (Mike) Wayne Midkiff passed away just shy of his 80th birthday.  Mike was born in Camden, Arkansas, the youngest son of Irene and Samuel Midkiff. At the age of 9 he moved to the Sunnyslope area of Phoenix, AZ. In 1959 he graduated from Sunnyslope High School, and in 1988 he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Management from the University of Phoenix. Shortly after high school, Mike joined the US Coast Guard and continued as a reservist until his Honorable Discharge in 1967. In 1963 Mike joined the Phoenix Police Department where he proudly served for 32 years, retiring as a lieutenant in 1995.

Mike had a wonderful sense of humor, an easygoing manner, and loved the outdoors.  He was an avid fisherman and his idea of a perfect day was when he was on a lake in his boat trying to outsmart fish with a variety of lures and live bait. His used his Coast Guard training to teach his family the proper way to tie a variety of knots, a skill that came handy on several camping and houseboat trips. For over 40 years Mike bowled in a variety of leagues, and in later years he took up golf where he relentlessly pursued the elusive perfect swing.  Mike was a patient fan of all Arizona sports teams and a longtime season ticket holder to the Arizona Cardinals games where he wore his custom “Pa Middy” jersey.  Mike enjoyed traveling across the United States as well making trips to Mexico, Canada, and Europe where he stood out in crowds wearing his signature fedora hat.

Mike is survived by his wife of 42 years, Pat.  He was a loving and proud father to Dawn, Darin (Libby), and David (Lesley), grandfather to Taylor and Caden Midkiff, Chase Rodriquez, Austin and Logan Sluder, and uncle to his brother Tom’s children Cathy, Kristy, and Kevin and to his brother Kenneth’s son, Kenneth, Jr. Both of his brothers preceded him in death.  Mike’s family wishes to thank the staff of Comprehensive Hospice and Palliative Care for the care and support they gave to Mike and his family in his final days.

Mike will be greatly missed by his family and friends. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later time.