Michael Joseph Luckey

His passion for aviation began at age 16, when he completed his first solo flight.

Following high school, Michael enlisted in the US Air Force, where he was stationed in the United States, Philippines, and Thailand. After serving in the Air Force for 7 years, Michael became an Air Traffic Controller at O’Hare Airport in Chicago, Illinois. He then embarked on his career as a corporate pilot with Chamberlain Inc. He and his family relocated to Texas in 1985, where he worked with GTE Directories for many years as Chief Pilot, flying a Citation jet and traveling to many areas of the country. His wife, Denise, and their two daughters, Kristin and Kim, were fortunate enough to accompany him on several of his flights.

After his years with GTE, Michael continued his aviation career at CAE Simuflite. He was named Director and Senior Manager of instructor development. An ATP with more than 9,000 flying hours, he was responsible for the development and quality assurance of the training services department. He was instrumental in developing numerous programs for aviation training and received many accolades from clients for his quality instruction. Michael was brilliant in his field of aviation and loved to talk about the military and history.

Michael was an avid golfer and loved to play golf with his group of friends. He was the recipient of several trophies for his participation in tournaments and even started the CAE Simuflite annual golf tournament that benefited charity. During his years in the Air Force, Michael developed an interest in motorcycles. He owned a Honda 750, which he loved to ride. After his marriage to his wife, Denise in 1980, he bought a Honda Goldwing touring motorcycle. They enjoyed many road trips together with their group of friends through Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa.

Michael’s favorite times were those spent on the back porch listening to Jerry Vale and Vic Damone with “his Denise”. He lived for his family pool days and the Luckey holiday traditions. These both began with his daughters, Kristin and Kim when they were little girls and continued with his 4 grandchildren. He would love to make memories with all of them and they loved their Papa greatly.

Michael was known for his sense of humor and infectious laugh, which could light up the room. He was a kind-hearted, generous man, everyone’s biggest supporter, and always spoke with pride and love of his family.

Michael was preceded in death by his father, Joe Luckey, his mother, Bette Kelly, his step-dad Jug Kelly, and his sister, Kathy Luckey. He is survived by his wife, Denise, his daughters, Kristin and Kim, and his four beautiful grandchildren, Austin (16), Brooklyn (11), Tyson (7), and Kambrie (5).