Uncle Joe was the uncle that would always slip me $20 to go buy some candy when I was a kid. Very fond memories. Much love.

Dear Uncle Joe, i was sad to hear of your passing,but i am sure you are content, thank you for all the help,support,when i moved to C.A in 1980,years giving me work,helping me grow up, of get togethers,fun times,holidays, dinners,theme parks.I will always remember you as a great dad, loving uncle,who gave from your heart.Aunt Martha was a very loving Aunt, whom also welcomed me,and your 3 children,God bless you all.

Dear Uncle Joe and Aunt Martha:
I do not even know where to begin... Patrick speaks volumes about our Uncle Joe... my perspective is different in that I was younger and times were somewhat difficult.... but I was at the T-Bird Game and remember Uncle Joe  callling my Mom and saying"Where are you?   This is the biggest thing that ever happened to our family!!!   Only Joe could have that enthusiasm.... more than an Uncle , he was a father... Just when you thought the world had reached it's lowest ebb, Uncle Joe would show up and meet the need that was the latest greatest crisis.... Joe McGee was a hero to so many.... but especially to me.... he saved me from many missteps... allowed me to live with him in the summers prior to UCLA at San Miguel.... a beautiful home with Aunt Therese's stained glass....I very much love your children who Martha worked so hard to carry and deliver.... all of them gifts from God....   We had the luxury of being some of his few California relatives..... and I will never forget the good times we shared.... You knew if you were going to spend time with Joe and Marth that it would always be good.... How about Lake Tahoe... I know your  luggage matched, but somehow you got stuck with the grocerie bags we brought..... The Farkle Family..... How kind of you to include us.... Aunt Martha, you bought me my first pair of courderoy pants.... such a big thing for me and you probably think it was just another shopping trip.... How about that time when we broke down in Gorman.... Uncle Joe came to meet us and did not fuss with Grandma Gee when she wanted to ride in the car towed by the tow truck and we rode in the Mustang.... such a good son to his mother who knew when to pick his battles.... sure, he had his moments... but I will tell you I am so glad he got me off Coca Cola and onto Diet Coke little things mean a lot to your waistline:) So much I could go on about, but you , Aunt Martha, know all he did.... How you tolerated us I do not know... other than the fact that Uncle Joe and my mom had such an abiding love for eachother... She remembers that when he came in March, she reminded all visitors that she would be "three in June" ... I do not believe that she ever thought she would have a birthday without Uncle Joe.... She is reeling....   So much unsaid, yet so much you know from our crazy life where you and Uncle Joe saved us...... as for both of you... we will never forget....  On a personal note, I never really realized how life would feel so unsafe without Uncle Joe....I just knew he had my back at a moments notice...... I love him very much, as I do you and the kids... I just wish he could be here forever

With love and great admiration to an Aunt I will never measure up to and an Uncle, to whom I will be forever grateful......    The world just seems forever changed....

We all love you.... Mary Jarvis (O'Leary) and family

Uncle Joe - I always busted into a huge smile when I saw you! In recent years coming to Vegas for work events you always welcomed me and wanted to go out. I learned to play craps with you...I am not nearly as lucky as you though. I very much enjoyed our visits. 

I am glad you are no longer in pain and are probably playing cards with my mother and father now. You will be missed by me as well as others. I will keep Aunt Martha, Jenny, Patrick, Therese and their families in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace be with you.

Uncle Joe's memorial service is something that was very reflective of the strength, wisdom and class with which he lived his life.  My memories of him coming to see me when I was skating with the Los Angeles T-Birds are among my fondest; surpassed only by the very candid conversations we had by phone over the last few years while we both had health problems.  I could always turn to him for wisdom and encouragement; I hope that this door swung both ways.  I believe it did.  

It is a heart-breaking loss for me, so how much more so for Martha and the immediate family?  May we all keep her and them in our prayers; Joe is in God's arms now, but I sometimes would find myself thinking "What Would Joe Do?" when challenged by the "dignity walk" part of long term disease, and probably still will.  

I was fortunate enough to be there at his memorial service, and I believe that we can all agree that when Joe loved you, you knew it and it meant something. He was always 100% authentic to himself.

I was always impressed with his work ethic.  I rarely saw Joe, during the years where we saw each other more frequently, where he wasn't working on or at something.  That he founded the first home inspection business in L.A., if not the nation, said so much about his genius and pragmatism.  

My very fondest memory of Joseph is something that happened at a T-Birds game.  I was involved in a fistfight on the center rail, and it was one of my first.  Suddenly, I saw this head bobbing and jumping up near the rail (no small feat....) It was Uncle Joe, and he was yelling "Kick his ____ Paddy, kick his ____!" like a true sports fan.  

Distracted, I looked at him for just a moment, and it was all my opponent needed.  I caught a haymaker and hit the track.  You might say that Joe was my biggest fan when it came to Roller Games (Roller Derby,) but in real life, it was the reverse.  I shall never forget our conversations during the deepest of difficult times; our last just following his final lung operation.  

An Episcopalian Abbot once said to me, "I notice you speak about your father in the past tense."
"Yes", I replied, "he passed away in 1991."
He suggested that if I ever felt ready for it, to think of him in the present, alive in our Lord.  Wow.  What a concept.  But as I had already grieved his loss (if we ever fully grieve an irreplaceable beloved such as Joe,) I was able to do so and it helped immensely.  Food for thought down the road.

For now, I'd like to close by saying two things:  that it was sublime seeing and enjoying so many cousins and family members at one time.  How like Joe to bring us together.  

As a young man, I would have thought myself the polar opposite of Joe; how fortunate am I to have found myself a middle-aged man feeling that we had so much in common.  
I loved his handling of the truth.  I loved his direct way of communication. I loved that I always knew precisely where I stood with him, and how much I was loved.  Most of all, I loved him.
We could all do well to take a page from the book of Joseph "Bill" McGee.  I'd like an entire chapter.
Special thanks to Martha, Sonny, Shirley and John, as well as Joe's children.  I think some new and renewed friendships will come from his memorial (nice job, Theresa) and that would make him so happy.  

We have all lost someone irreplaceable.  Let us not forget that anytime soon, yet smile at all the joie de vivre he brought to life.  Joe literally brought more life to life.  How many people can you say that about?
All My Love,
Patrick Jarvis
Number 7
L.A. T-Birds
Number 1 Joe Mc Gee fan.

Hey Uncle Joe! Sorry we didn't get the chance to see you. It's funny how fast time seems to go. I can't believe it's been 6 years. We will never forget the trips to Vegas and the courteousness that you and Aunt Martha showed to us on our honeymoon. Rest in Peace uncle Joe, you will be missed.

P.S. HERE'S TO GRACIE!!! :)

Uncle Joe McGee,

I will always remember when Jack and I came from Michigan to California in our late teens and you and Aunt Martha made us feel so welcome at your house in Woodland Hills.  I will treasure your kindness to me and the Ross family over the years.

You will be greatly missed by many.

Cindy Ross
Jailyn Ross
Jada Ross

I can't even begin to think about all I learned from this man. He was one of a kind and always tried to help others less fortunate then himself. The world will miss him. No nephew ever had  better uncle.

Uncle Joe we love and miss you very much im going to miss our weekly phone conversations about the Va and about our blood sugars most of all im going to miss the good times we had in vegas and i will never for get how you took care of me when i had to stay in california on my way guam  my heart is breaking now that you had to leave so soon your memory will always be in my heart

We always will love and miss you and you will always be in our hearts and preyers most of all i will miss talking to you

It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.

Our twice a year Vegas visit just won't be the same without you. Thank God for memories because that is all we got now

Uncle Joe, Thanks for the oppurtunity to live in California in the 70"s. Learning the Home Inspection business. You will be missed.

An Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind always be at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, may the rains fall soft upon your fields,and until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Uncle Joe you are the best and I will truly miss you! You helped my brothers Jack and Kevin and the rest of my family so much it has left an ever lasting impression on me! Humankind has truly lost an ambassador of kindness and generosity. Joe McGee is gone but will never be forgotten. Always your nephew, Michael Dan McGee.

Thinking of you with gratitude and love.

~Karen

To my favorite Uncle Joe - thanks for the memories and for your generosity and love throughout the years.  I have so many memories spanning many, many decades.  As a child, I remember fun times with you at the farm in Osceola - snakes, turtles, horses and sheep.  You always welcomed us at your home in California.  You travelled to Birchbay to join us for the World's Fair in Vancouver. You and Aunt Martha joined us at Camp Dearborn many times including the exciting tornado episode.  I always enjoyed your visits to our family home in Bloomfield Hills and remember the home that you and Aunt Martha purchased in Bloomfield Hills so that you could visit us more often.  I remember all the good times at the weddings, parties and festivities - you were always the first to offer to pay for these events!! And, of course, my more recent memories - Jenny's wedding and my last trip to visit you was so special.  As I entered the Bingo Hall, your eyes light up with excitement, we have finally arrived.  After hugs and kisses, you  treat us to Bingo.  I do not win, but you win the cover-all as you are always so lucky, we continue our visit over dinner, your treat, and we had such a lovely dinner. So many memories - I will miss you.  Your niece, Pauline

I will always remember Uncle Joe's generosity. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. When he came to visit, we'd all go out to dinner and Uncle Joe would pay. We never went out to dinner, so, this was a big treat. He was always kind and paid attention to us kids. He was the youngest in his family, so, it seemed like everyone in the McGee family looked toward him fondly. What a funny, fun guy. Lot's of stories and family gossip. He was certainly a character in the McGee family and in the world at large. Everyone who met him became his instant friend. Every friend of his thought they were his best friend. He was handsome, charming, generous to a fault. He left this world a little too young. One less player at the Buck-Up table. Peace be with you, Uncle Joe.  

With Love and Kindness to you and your family,

When I hear "Uncle Joe", I recall that picture of him on the horse, with the burrs all over his legs... I think he was making a path to White Rock... so we could all make it there on foot... I was young.. but thought that was pretty cool...

Dear Uncle Joe,

Because of your generosity we came home to the States. 
I remember very clearly walking through the airport gate and watching you scoop my mom up in  a great  McGee bear hug. Your heart was always open to the less fortunate folks in life, and you always had that knack for making even the most taciturn of folks smile and want to chat. I hope I can see you again one day to tell you just how much you meant to me in my awkward growing years and in my "adult" years when I still felt like you were my BEST uncle. My truly GREAT uncle. When you signed my marriage certificate as the witness, I was immeasurably proud and touched, and when you gave my new husband a kiss on the cheek I loved you forever and ever for welcoming him into our family. I will miss you so. 

I love you,   Annie  XO

Uncle Joe,
When I moved to California in the summer of 1977 you put me to work for a couple of month on your house in Woodland Hills and said I knew how to get my hands dirty. I was proud of that. You paid me well and wished me luck when I abruptly left you hanging because I had found a job in my field and was  starting the next Monday.
When I worked for you, you told me what I was doing wrong. When I was a guest in your home, where ever that was, you listened to what I had to say and treated me with dignity and respect, even if you did not agree with me.
And you knocked on my door when you were in town just to say hello.
When I think about being an uncle to my neices and nephews, you set the standard. 
I only hope I can live up to your example. 
I will miss you.
Your loving nephew...

Always remember Uncle Joe calling out "Hello, Glory - girl!" upon arriving at my mom's house. He was always cheerful, always willing to help out, a true Irishman. He will always be remembered.
I join with my brother Brian in my prayers for your family.

Uncle Joe, 

I have not seen you in many a year, so many I have lost count.  But I have fond memories of you, and your family, visiting in the summers in Michigan.  You used to say to me, "I am the 7th son, you are the 7th son, that's a lucky combo, we have to hit Vegas together."  Although we never hit Vegas, I was the lucky one to have known you.  I will pray for you and your family, that they find a healing path with you now gone. 

Brian

OBITUARY

Joseph William Joseph McGee William McGee

March 15, 1935 – February 14, 2012

Palm South Jones Mortuary

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