Gregory Daryle MicKey

Gregory Daryle MicKey, who would have celebrated his 50th birthday today, died on June 18, 2005 in a boating accident, which occurred after a scuba diving expedition 40miles offshore at Frying Pan Shoals. He was born on October 18, 1955 to Harry Sauers MicKey, Jr. and Mary Louise Botta MicKeyin Baltimore, MD. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Blanche and Harry MicKey, Sr. and Fred and Catherine Botta, three uncles Orville MicKey and Fred and Marty Botta, one aunt Betty Hartlove, and Greg's sister-in-law, Susan Boone Mickey, who was married to Kenny.
Greg graduated in 1978 from Lenior Rhyne College in Hickory, NC. He was an active member in the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. After earning a BS in Pharmaceutical Marketing, he relocated to Wilmington, NC to be near the ocean. Greg worked 27 years as a regional senior executive sales representative for Burroughs Wellcome (which eventually became Glaxo SmithKline).
He had two sons by a previous marriage, Bradley Daryle MicKey, age 25 of Raleigh, NC and Christopher Shane MicKey, age 22 of Wilmington. Greg married Julia Dixon MicKey at sunset on February 24, 1996 on Green Turtle Key in the Abacos. He is survived by his wife, Julia and nephew, Brenden MicKey of the home; his two sons Brad and Chris; his parents, Mary Lou Mickey of Wilmington and Harry Mickey of Bradenton, FL; his brothers and sisters, Bruce Mickey and wife, Janice of New Freedom, PA, Kenny Mickey of Sarasota, FL, Kim Minick and husband, Tim of Marrietta, GA, Bridget Mickey of Sarasota, FL; five nieces and four nephews.
Greg was raised on the eastern shore of Maryland. At the age of seven his grandmother gave him his first boat, thus began his lifelong love of the ocean and all of the activities that it encompassed. He was an avid sportsman who loved fishing, scuba diving, duck, goose infectious." "Greg's unique, eclectic love of life fueled an insatiableappetite for the excitement of what tomorrow held."
Greg's family, especially Julia, wish to thank his community of friends and co-workers for the immeasurable love and support that has been sent their way. Special appreciation goes to Monica Caison and the CEU Center for Missing Persons for their unrelenting effort and time spent looking for Greg, to those in the community who spent countless hours assisting in the search effort, and to those who donated funds toward these activities.
A Celebration of Life service was held on June 25, 2005. In the coming spring, with the help of The Onslow Bay Artificial Reef and Long Bay Artificial Reef Associations, there will be a rechristening of a 220' vessel that will be sunk at Frying Pan Tower as a living memorial to Greg, a wonderful tribute to a man who loved the ocean and loved life so enthusiastically. Think of the sea life that will call The Captain Greg MicKey their home as an artificial reef! Memorials made and scheduling updates may be found at www.captgregmickey.org.
"Greg seemed to have a command over his life like a captain over a ship. A captain is happiest when he's sailing. There is a beautiful, tall ship approaching a new horizon. And Greg is happy there, commanding his next voyage. We'll all miss him dearly, but don't forget, we're ships too. We'll catch up with Greg someday and see his tall masts heading to us from the horizon. Our sails will fill with his laughter and gentle spirit, and it will be a fine day."