McGuire and David Spurrier were teaching partners of the Broadcasting Arts Radio and Television Program at Hamilton High School from 1980-89. McGuire taught the television program, and Spurrier taught radio.
“Mike was the creative force in our partnership,” Spurrier wrote on Facebook. “He was always ready to push the limits of our equipment and what others expected from our students.”
During the school year, five days a week for nine years, they produced a 30-minute music, talk and variety show called The Mike McGuire Show. It was a performance opportunity for the Hamilton students from elementary through high school.
“He was always a true friend, a sharing co-worker and mentor, and a consummate professional and a talented musician and performer,” Spurrier wrote. “Whether you knew him as ‘Magic Mike,’ ‘Big Moose’ or any one of the numerous affectionate nicknames he would answer to, you knew he was a dreamer, a schemer, a joyous performer and a guy with a great big heart.”
Debi Gedling, a close friend of McGuire’s, said he was a well-known organ player and, along with his first wife, Glenda Helton-McGuire, frequently played in Hamilton hotel lounges. Later, she said, McGuire played organ for Big In Iowa, a popular band in the region.
He is survived by two sons, Brian and Chris, and two brothers, Ted and Todd.
Ted McGuire said his brother had “a very interesting life and background” and he loved being outdoors, whether fishing, hunting or canoeing.
“He was a really likeable guy,” his brother said.
McGuire’s health had been failing for months, his brother said.
Funeral arrangements are pending, and a musical “celebration of life” will be held later.
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