Gary Lee McMichael

Nov 14, 1946 -

Dec 9, 2025

Gary Lee McMichael, 79, passed away on Dec. 9, 2025, at the Palmer Veterans and Pioneers Home, where he lived since 2022.

Born on Nov. 14, 1946, in Glendale, Calif., to Robert McMichael and Melba (White) McMichael, the family of three soon moved to the San Francisco Bay area, where two sisters were added. Growing up on Woodside Mountain and in San Carlos, Gary graduated from Carlmont High School in 1964.

After unintentionally coming to Alaska in spring 1969, he worked that summer as a surveyor's assistant and then held many other jobs – school bus driver, construction, maintenance worker - until beginning a 13-year career in 1980 with Atlantic Richfield. He worked week on and week off, first on oil platforms in Cook Inlet and later as a drill site operator at Prudhoe Bay. Tiring of night shifts every other hitch, and wanting to be home every night, he changed careers and worked for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough as a Road Service Supervisor from 1993 to 1999.

It was while living in Glennallen, his first winter in Alaska, that he met his future wife, Maraley Clayton. They married in May 1973, and moved to Anchorage, where Gary's construction jobs took them to King Salmon and Fairbanks, Alaska. They remained in Fairbanks until 1975, when they moved to California for a brief two year stint where son Patrick was born in 1976. Back to Alaska in 1978, where daughter Erin was born, and then on to Cooper Landing, where daughter Kelley was born in 1980. The family moved to Palmer in 1984, and remained there until 1999, when Gary and Maraley moved to Slana, Alaska.

In Slana, Gary kept the generator going for their beautiful log home and his great sense of humor helped entertain bed and breakfast guests during the summer months. He sometimes made a daily four-wheeler trip to the secret grayling fishing hole. He also enjoyed visiting family and friends during winter snowbird travel.

Gary was a jack-of-all-trades - proficient in all aspects of home construction and remodeling, an excellent all around handyman and vehicle mechanic. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, snow machining, four-wheeling, gardening and panning for gold. He was dedicated to providing a good life for his family, even when his adventurous spirit led to many different home locations.

Needing to be closer to medical facilities, Gary and Maraley returned to Palmer in 2011, where he enjoyed many friendships through Immanual Baptist Church, the Palmer and Wasilla Senior Centers, and the Pioneers of Alaska.

Gary was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Kelley Ann; his parents; and sister, Diana. He is survived by his wife, Maraley, of 52 years; son, Patrick; daughter, Erin; grandchildren, Harlen and Amelia Montez; sister, Teri; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Gary's life is planned for June 6, 2026, at Immanual Baptist Church. For more information, email mcmichael.memorial@gmail.com.