Samuel Michael 'Mike' McPheters
April 13, 1943 – November 10, 2018
Samuel Michael “Mike” McPheters left this life and began his greatest adventure on Nov. 10, 2018. Mike touched countless lives with his ability to become fast friends with everyone who crossed his path, from extended family to elevator acquaintances. When news of his death began to spread, well-wishes flooded in from hundreds of people whose lives he had touched for good. These beautiful tributes to Mike brought great comfort and peace to his family.
Mike was born in Boise, Idaho on April 13, 1943 to Thelma Harriet Worthington and Norris Warnick Peterson. When he was 5 years old, his step-dad Erwin McPheters came into his life and raised him as his own.
Mike graduated in Spanish from Brigham Young University in 1968 and earned his MBA and MPA from City University in 1995.
He started working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Special Agent in 1968 and enjoyed an exciting career with the Bureau for 30 years. He loved being a member of the FBI SWAT Team for 20 of those years. After retirement, Mike started a private investigative business, taught college classes, became a state-certified Spanish interpreter, authored three books and traveled the world as a cruise ship lecturer.
Mike was very service-oriented and served as a Bishop for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints four times, served many years as a Boy Scout leader, was a member of Rotary Club in Pendleton, Ore. and Moses Lake, Wash. and was precinct chairman for the Republican Party in Ivins, Utah.
Mike loved sports and being in the outdoors. He earned a varsity letter from College of Idaho in football, played in the Paraguayan National Basketball Championship, ran 19 marathons and was an avid weight-lifter, hiker, hunter and fisherman.
Dad says his greatest accomplishment was marrying Judy Ann Kirwan on April 30, 1965 and having a family. He leaves behind his loving wife; five children Marni (Preston) Wilks, Shad (Marnie) McPheters, Tylee (Larence) Searle, Shayna (Alex) Nabaum and Justin (Katrina) McPheters; 28 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother Wally (Debbie) McPheters and a sister Sondra (Max) Wilson.
Services will be held at the Center Street Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Ivins, Utah at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16. The family will host an open house to visit and greet friends at the same location on Nov. 15 from 6-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider making a donation to LDS Philanthropies Humanitarian Services online at www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services or by sending it to Humanitarian Services, c/o LDS Philanthropies, 1450 N. University Ave., Provo, UT 84604.