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Michael Gumm passed away on January 25, 2016 while being cared for at the Hospice of the Valley-Sherman Home in Phoenix, Arizona. His wife said his heart just gave out.
His profile on this website shows great photos of Mike and his love for the bikes he rode and the iron worker gangs to which he belonged. One of the most recent photos of Mike and his wife Sandy is shown on the website at the Reunion Photos link, Arizona mini reunion 2014. What a great luncheon shared by PHS Arizona residents and snowbirds. In fact, I just talked to Mike on January 13, 2016 to see if he and Sandy could join us again when we gathered on January 21, 2016 for lunch in Old Town Scottsdale. He told me it would be physically impossible for him to join us but didn't elaborate on his fragile health condition nor did I press for details. He and Sandy were currently living in Prescott, Arizona.
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Judith Brown
I enjoyed seeing his bike pictures. Happy he could make the mini reunion in AZ. Prayers to his family. I remember Mike from PHS days as a funny and nice person.
Thomas Johnson
I grew up with Mike Gumm. He lived right across the road where I grew up on Willsey Road. I played with him and his younger brothers. We did all those boy things like playing Army, climbing trees and cutting them down and riding the tree to the ground. We'd shoot baskets in his driveway and play slot cars in his garage. His dad (Bill Gumm) was a union welder and made the basketball goal. It was "industrial strength" !!!
Here's something that many of you may not know. The Gumm family were closely related to Frances Ethyl Gumm (Judy Garland). I remember Mike's mom and dad telling us that.
Karen and I were happy that we got to see two of Mike's brothers, Mark and Sam, a few months back when we had a neighborhood reunion. We call our group "The Willsey Road Kids". We have all remained friends since the late 1950s. Mark and Sam told us that Mike wasn't doing well then. I don't think I ever saw Mike again after PHS.
PS: Below is a picture from our "Willsey Road Kids" reunion on Labor Day weekend of 2015. You might recognize Franklin Heiliger (first on the left). I am at the back on the right.
Dee Bell (Becker)
I am so sorry to hear about Mike's passing. My deepest condolences to his family for whom I am sure the loss is profound. May Mike rest in deep peace. This annnouncement came as quite a surprise, as I remember the information and posted desert reunion picture. He seemed so healthy and happy in the photo.
Deep deep peace to you Mike. You will be missed.
Warmest regards,
Dee Bell
Willis Taylor (E)
I will miss him. May the Father of us all, comfort his family in their grief and a place of honour for him at His banquet table.Rachel Maxwell (Johnson)
I am so sorry that Mike obviously suffered so much his last days here on earth. He will be missed. Many prayers for his wife and family during this difficult time. I remember Mike in some of our classes at PHS. He seemed to wear a smile no matter what and loved telling stories with a punch line for us all to enjoy. May you rest in peace, Mike.
David Petty
I was so sorry to hear about Mike's passing. Thanks to Carol and Charlie we all are able to be aware of the loss of our classmates and friends. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Again, I am so grateful that this lane of communication has been established.
Dale Young
My condolences to Mike's family. Although it has been many years since all of us were together, a little bit of all of us goes with each classmate we lose. I am very sad.
Jeffrey Jenkel
"Gumby" was liked by everyone that knew him. I shared a 2 br apartment with Mike after he came back from Vietnam. I had been working my way thru College as an Ironworker. I was surprised when he became an Ironworker later when he moved to LA. I'm sure he was a man among men to have that job all these years. When you can walk a beam a few inches wide a thousand feet in the air there is little else that will scare you.
I spoke to him only one time after he moved to L.A. even though we were only a few miles apart. He was getting ready to sail his boat to Catalina Island.
I think he was the one that got me interested in boats with that conversation (had as many as 3 at one time). I did not know he had moved to Arizona and was in ill health. I am sorry to see him pass. Ride on "Iron Mike" on your iron horse and may God be with you.
Daniel Frye
It's never been easy for me to acknowledge and accept the passing of family and a friend. Mike was both.
It's obvious from the comments and memories from others that Mike (Gumbie) had touch a lot of our hearts throughout his active life. I'm glad I was able to have known him if only as a former classmate at PHS. May God's blessing cover Mike, Mike's immediate family, extended family, and the many friends that knew him. Amen
Robert Humphress
My condolences to Mike and his family, RIP brother