Denis Charles McGee

Denis Charles McGee was called to his eternal home on September 27, 2025. He was born on November 13, 1938, to Denis and Bridget (Allison) McGee in Edinburgh, Scotland. Denis grew up in Edinburgh and attended the University of Edinburgh. After completing his Ph.D., he pursued postdoctoral studies at the University of Minnesota, where he met his wife, Judy (Jose). They married in July 1969, after which Denis began working for the Australian state government in Melbourne, Victoria.
Denis and Judy welcomed two children while living in Australia, Carol and Paul. After five years there, Denis took a sabbatical in Saskatoon, Canada, where they celebrated the birth of their daughter, Susan, in 1975. He later worked at the University of Maine for two years before joining the Department of Plant Pathology at Iowa State University, where he spent the majority of his career.
Denis was recognized as a leader in international education, research, and outreach. His collaboration with the Center for Agricultural and Biosciences International led to the development of electronic databases consolidating global plant disease information and to improvements in the standards by which seeds are traded worldwide. He conducted seed pathology workshops for seed health professionals across the globe, including in Nigeria, Egypt, Ukraine, Albania, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay. His book on maize diseases as a reference for seed technologists was followed by a companion volume on soybeans.
Denis is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Judy; daughter Carol (Fred) Hoiberg and grandchildren Paige, Jack, Sam, and Charlie; son Paul McGee and grandchildren Molly, Emma, Max, and Maggie; and daughter Susan (Jason) Moutray and grandchildren Lili and Sami. He is also survived by his sisters Margaret and Angela McGee; brother Bernard McGee; sister-in-law Jackie (Bruce) Chwialkowski; brother-in-law Charles (Lona) Jose; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Denis and Bridget McGee; his sister, Rosemary Bruce; sister-in-law Mary Kay Dufault; and sister-in-law Margaret McGee.
Denis found great joy in golfing, watching his grandchildren play sports, and creating magical memories with family and friends.
A Mass of Christian burial for Denis McGee will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 2210 Lincoln Way, in Ames, with Father Kyle Digmann officiating.
A time of visitation will be held from 9:30 - 11:00 AM at the church on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers and other customary remembrances, Denis' family suggests that memorial contributions may be directed to Food at First or The Bridge Home, and sent to The Family of Denis McGee, c/o Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa, 50010.