Michael W. McAuliffe

Michael William McAuliffe, Air Force vet and Dewey resident, was aged 75 and in Dewey when he earned his forever wings Wednesday. Michael or “Mike” was born the son of James and Bernice (Staude) McAuliffe on June 23, 1942, in Janesville, WI. He grew up in the Beaver Dam area of Wisconsin, then Edmond, OK, and graduated from Benedictine High School in Guthrie, OK with the Class of 1961. Mike enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in August 1961. After basic training he was stationed in Salina, KS, and received his honorable discharge in April 1965. Mike joined his father in Tahlequah, OK, in the drycleaning business until 1974 when he joined the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers Local 384 in Muskogee, OK. Over 40 years ago, Mike married Linda Rucker on Jan. 22, 1977, in Vinita, OK. They spent all their years living in Bartlesville and Dewey. Together, they loved horses and working with them. For 20 plus years they bred Paint and Quarter horses; at one time had 20 mares. They enjoyed trail riding and many memorable trips together. Mike was handy and enjoyed knife-making and woodworking. He had a knack for knowing how things work and making repairs around the house when needed. He also enjoyed searching for treasure at garage sales, flea markets and antiquing. He was a diehard Packers fan, loved the Thunder and was a longtime supporter of OU football ever since 1958 when he attended the OU Notre Dame game in Norman with his father. Most of all he loved his family and time spent with his grandchildren. Mike is survived by two sons Chris McAuliffe and Gayla and their children, Molly, Matt, Daniel, Adriana and Cole; and Casey McAuliffe and Brittany and their children Dalton, Wyatt and Jazzlynn; brother Thomas McAuliffe; two sisters Annette Casto and Charles, and Mary Grahm and Gerald. He is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Linda McAullife, parents, son Patrick McAuliffe, grandson Aaron McAuliffe and sister Judith Mason. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Journey Home, 900 NE Washington Blvd, Bartlesville, OK 74006. Mike’s family will receive friends at the Davis Family Funeral Home, 918-534-3030, 113 S. Osage (Hwy. 75), Dewey, on Friday, April 13, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Sat., April 14, at the Dewey United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the Timpson Chapel Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared with Mike’s family at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Michael W. McAuliffe

June 23, 1942 - March 21, 2018