Michael Joseph McMahan
In Loving Memory of Brother, Friend & Father
Michael “Mike” McMahan passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Barbara after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was predeceased by his parents, Gerald and Josephine McMahan; his sister, Christine Conter; nephew, Joseph Conter; and the love of his life, his beloved wife, Debra McMahan. He is survived by his sons, Tristan and James; his brother, Tom McMahan; sister, Karen Farrer; and dear friend Patricia Garrett.
Michael was born in Los Angeles and educated at St. Francis X. Cabrini, St. John the Evangelist, Serra High School, Los Angeles City College, West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, and the Professional Culinary Institute. He was a proud and decorated U.S. Marine, awarded for marksmanship. He trained as an air traffic controller while stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was later stationed in Okinawa, Japan, which he said was like the Hawaii of Japan. After his honorable discharge he settled in San Diego with Debra, where they welcomed their first son, Tristan. Michael was a skilled finish carpenter and worked for years as the on-site carpenter at The Aerospace Corporation. In 1984 the family moved to Venice, CA, where they later welcomed their second son, James. There Mike became deeply involved with Hope Chapel of Venice, where he wrote and performed devotional music for many years. He was an accomplished guitar player and lover of music.
Michael later trained as an x-ray technician and operated a dental radiology lab in Westchester, CA. In 2000 the family moved to Santa Barbara, where he commuted to work in Westchester until his retirement. After retiring he became a certified sommelier, combining his refined taste with a love for craftsmanship and detail.
He deeply loved the outdoors and the Sierras, particularly Mammoth Lakes, where he lived for the last 12 years of his life, and Yosemite, where he backpacked on his honeymoon and trekked the backcountry many times in his life. He especially treasured Tuolumne Meadows and explored that part of the park extensively. He enjoyed surfing, black diamond skiing, sailing, and had a particular fondness for Catalina Island.
Michael had an uncanny sense of direction and was known for giving remarkably accurate and detailed instructions, sometimes to places he had only visited once.
Known for his sharp wit and strong moral compass, Michael lived by the principle of doing what’s right—even when no one was watching. He often said, “Common sense isn’t all that common,” and lived with the kind of clarity and purpose that made that phrase feel timeless. He was meticulous, artistic, punctual, disciplined, and dependable. He took great care of the things and people in his life, always leaving things better than he found them.
He will be remembered for his deep love, kindness, humor, loyalty, generosity, artistry, and his unwavering integrity and dedication to his family.
A memorial service will be held at noon in Malibu, CA, Sunday the 10th of August. Further information is available through McDermott-Crockett Mortuary: Rest in peace, Mike. Semper Fi.
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