Obituary
Michael Patrick McGuire beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend
and amazing educator, musician, and mentor passed away on September 13, 2022 at his home
in Ridgecrest, California. Mike was born on July 1, 1953 in Great Falls, Montana to John P.
"Sam" and Shirley (Calvert) McGuire.
He was raised in Cascade, an ideal Montana childhood that rewarded him with life long friends
and memories. Graduating from Cascade High School in 1971, Michael chose two directions for
his path. He joined the Montana Air National Guard in 1971 with his high school buddy, Dana
Darko. Mike told many stories about their adventures. He received degrees in music and
elementary education from Western Montana College in Dillon, Montana in 1976 so he would be
allowed to show others how to love learning and song.
While attending Western he met Terry Weber of Charlo, MT. They quickly became a life-long
team and were married August 28, 1976 two days before he embarked on an amazing teaching
career. His first teaching position was a 5th grade class in Fort Shaw, Montana. There Mike
worked as a creative and gifted teacher, coach, friend, and mentor to all he encountered. During
his tenure at Fort Shaw, Mike welcomed two wonderful sons into the world with Shane in 1977,
and Conan in 1980. In 1988 Mike left the lifelong home he loved to build a future with the thing
he loved more, his family. He took an uncertain job teaching band and music at Rocky Boy
Tribal School to allow Terry to finish her degree in Elementary Education in Havre, MT. In 1990
the McGuire's were offered and accepted teaching positions in Ridgecrest, California. Michael
taught at Groves Elementary, Inyokern Elementary, and Faller Elementary. After retiring in 2012,
Mike continued to substitute in many elementary classrooms across the school district until
2020. He would often bring a guitar and sit and play for the children at the various schools. He
was a gifted musician with an amazing voice evidenced by the many choirs, weddings, and
funerals his special gift was a requested presence at. Mike retired from the Montana Army
National Guard in 1993.
He is preceded in death by his parents John and Shirley McGuire, sister Jacqueline Kellogg,
and his childhood friend/brother Ed Jerin.
Michael is survived by his wife of 46 years, Terry; sons Shane and Frankie (Stockman) McGuire
of Great Falls, Montana; Conan McGuire Ridgecrest, California; sister Darcy (Monty) Groves,
Gilroy, CA; his grandchildren: Kayla Jaime, Lukasz Jaime, Ryley Lorance, Haven McGuire,
Xander McGuire, Emily McGuire, Shannon Farrell, Wiley Green, Dylan Clark, and Emberlyn
McGuire; two great-grandchildren; and dear friends Bruce Peterson and Kaye Holmesland of
Simms, MT.
Celebration of life will be held at Spring Hill Marriott Ridgecrest, CA on Saturday, October 1, at
11:30am with a potluck lunch served immediately after. Bring a dish if you wish! No sad attire!
Hawaiian shirts or tie dye welcome. All funny stories welcome. If you knew Mr. McGuire- you
understand!
A 2nd celebration of life for his Montana friends and family will be held in August 2023, with a
military funeral and internment at MT State Veterans Cemetery at Ft Harrison, Helena, MT at the
same time.
