Michael Patrick McVicker

Michael Patrick McVicker went to his eternal home on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016. He was the youngest of three children born to Jack and Eila (Gathman) McVicker. He was born in Sidney on March 3, 1957 and raised on a farm west of Gurley. He was baptized and confirmed in the Gurley Methodist Church. Mike attended grade school at Center, a two room country school, and graduated from Gurley Public High School in 1975, where he was active in all sports including football, basketball and track. He performed during the summer in a Wild West Dinner Show at Buffalo Bend near Sidney. Mike also helped his Dad work on the farm.

Mike attended Kearney State College and graduated with a BS, Industrial Arts degree with a teaching certificate. He taught at Leyton Schools for 2 years before moving to Colorado where he became a cabinet maker.

On Sept. 19, 1982, he married the love of his life, Barbara Miner. They made their home in the Longmont, Colo. area. After 33 years of marriage, he still called Barb his bride. They were blessed with two daughters, Lynnze and Jessie and one Grandson, Jacob, who was his pride and joy. When his daughters were married he acquired two "sons" - Tyler and Tom.

Mike was a builder. His woodworking skills were amazing and he had the ability to envision what something could become. He built and/or remodeled several houses in the Longmont area but more importantly he used those same building and envisioning skills to foster relationships that would last a lifetime for those he came in contact with. No one was a stranger. He and Barb welcomed everyone into their home including Bree and Alissa, who were like daughters to them.

Mike and Barb's latest adventure was acquiring, fixing and maintaining rental properties in the Greeley area. He had college students who were on a waiting list to be able to live in his properties.

Mike loved horseback riding, scuba diving and riding ATVs. Like his parents, Mike loved playing cards, with any willing or unsuspecting victim. He enjoyed bible study and was a constant witness for Jesus Christ. He and Barb are members of Grace Place in Berthoud, Colo.

Mike was known for his charismatic personality, his intense love for Jesus and his family and friends. He is survived by his loving bride Barb, daughters Lynnze (Tyler) McVicker of Greeley, Colo. and Jessie (Tom) Miller of Evergreen, Colo. and his beloved Grandson Jacob McVicker who called him G-Pa. He is also survived by his two sisters, Cindy (Lloyd) Bartels of Bruning, and Jacque (Bryan) Wilcox of Gilbert, Ariz. Mother- and Father-in-law Don & Tiny Miner of Red Cloud, Steve and Lynne Miner of Shawnee, Kan., Duane and Mary Miner of Seward, and Connie Miner of Auburn Hills, Mich. He has 6 nieces, 5 nephews, 8 cousins and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Eila McVicker, Uncles Ross and LeRoy Gathman and cousin Charles Gathman.

Mike will be missed by many but the memories he created with each and every one of us will live on in our hearts and minds.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, at the Ahlberg Funeral Chapel in Longmont, Colo. Cremation followed visitation. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, at Grace Place, Berthoud, Colo.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials go to the Ecuador Compassion Project through Grace Place.