John Bernhard McGee

John Bernhard McGee, 82, of Arvada, CO passed away on June 17th, 2022 in Broomfield, CO. John was born in Boone, IA in 1940 to Raymond and Ethel McGee. He had 3 brothers Russell, Ralph and Larry and one sister, Frances. During his last year of high school, John enlisted in the Iowa National Guard, where he began flying & maintaining helicopters and airplanes as well as repairing radios in jets. He graduated from Boone High School in 1958. He received an Associates Degree from Boone Junior College and later majored in Accounting at Drake University. After Drake University, he attended the Iowa Military Academy & graduated in 1961. Within months, his Army officer training led to missile training & helicopter flight school. In 1963, he went on active duty at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, joining the heavy nuclear missile unit deploying to Europe, where he remained until 1966. In January 1967, he arrived in Vietnam where he fought with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in the 7th most deadly battle of the Vietnam War. He retired from the Iowa National Guard as a lieutenant colonel in 1978. In the ensuing years, he stocked fish by airplane in Oregon, performed helicopter logging in the state of Washington, and fought forest fires all over the Western United States. He also piloted avalanche bombings to protect mountain roads in Colorado, and was a pilot for Flight for Life in Denver, Spokane and Las Vegas. John retired in 2001. In retirement, John and his wife Sharon traveled all over the United States in their R.V.. During the winter months they were "snowbirds" and resided in Yuma, AZ where they enjoyed the company of friends and the warm climate. John enjoyed seeing both new and familiar places and loved spending time with friends and family, both on the road and off. John is survived by his wife, Sharon L. McGee; brother, Russel McGee; son, Christopher Lee McGee (Tina); daughter, Jennifer Lynn McGee Hunt (Mark); stepson, Matthew Carl Peterson (Stephanie); stepgrandson, Jose Cruz Leyva; stepdaughter, Gretchen Rachel Sherlock (Evan); and grandson Hurley Evan Sherlock Memorial Services will be held at Peace Lutheran Church (5675 Field St, Arvada, CO 80002) on Monday, June 27th at 10:30 a.m.