Larry Mcgee

Larry A. McGee, age 72, of Santa Fe, NM, passed away peacefully at home in his sleep March 12, 2016. Larry joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and served in Vietnam as a medic until he was honorably discharged in 1964. He then completed his Associate of Arts degree in Mortuary Science in Los Angeles, CA, where his graduating class voted him Most Likely to Succeed. He worked in the funeral business most of his life in Santa Fe, NM and Tucson, AZ, with a few years working as a respiratory therapist in Southern California. He owned and operated McGee Memorial Chapel and Crematory for several years and was working there as manager when he met and married his wife Kathy. He was very active in the New Mexico and Arizona communities, including the Tucson Sailing Club, Kiwanis and Chamber of Commerce. He retired from the funeral business in 2006. Larry is survived by his wife of 15 years, Kathy Burttram; daughters, Christian McGee Goff (Stephen Drunsic) and Elizabeth Martin (David); stepdaughter, Dana Hardy (Steve); stepson, Kenny Simmons; grandsons, Luca Goff, Toby Martin and Alec Hardy; sisters, Janet Block and Meri Balser; nieces, Andrea Ortega and Alicia Balser; nephews, Michael Brandon Block, Russ Balser and Stephen Balser; and his best riding buddies Bob Parnell & Jim Panke. His beloved Beagle, Rosie, was also his baby and should be mentioned. Larry loved to ride motorcycles and his motto was “Ride to live and live to ride!” He and his wife, Kathy, shared many wonderful experiences riding with friends over the years. In fact, they helped organize the local Sangre de Cristo Harley Owners Group in 2001. Larry was proud to be the chapter’s first Safety Officer and Head Road Captain. Now he is riding with the angels! A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 21, at the Kiva Chapel of Light, Rivera Family Funeral Home, 417 East Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505, followed by a reception at the home of Pat and Bob Murray. Military honors will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 22. A special thank you goes to Presbyterian Medical Services Hospice and Nurse Rachel Whitney for helping us through these past few months. We also thank Dr. Debra Higgenbotham for her support and friendship. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Santa Fe Animal Shelter or to PMS Hospice.