Michael McPherson, 77, of Oskaloosa died Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born August 9, 1946, in Hollywood, California, the son of William Howard and Iris F. Waymire McPherson. He graduated from Los Angeles Pacific High with the class of 1964. Following high school he enrolled at Azusa Pacific University and earned his BA in Social Science in 1970. He then served four years in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged. On December 9, 1978, he was united in marriage to Carol Cox in Cudahy, California. To this union three children were born, Erin, James, and William. Mike's career path took many directions, he started his career as a High School Teacher at Village Christian High. He then went to work in security and law enforcement first with Personal Manager Beacon Security Company, and later for the Riverside County Sherriff office in California. In 2003, the family moved to Iowa when Mike took a job as a professor at Vennard College. He started as an adjunct professor of World, U.S. and Church History. While teaching at Vennard Mike completed his MA in History from Iowa State University. Upon earning his masters Vennard promoted him to full-time professor. He was a lifelong educator that truly loved sharing his knowledge of history and the Bible. He was a member of Life House Community Church in Oskaloosa. He was truly proud of his Scottish Heritage and attributed that to his love of hearing the bagpipes played. He loved to travel especially to Civil War Battlefields, reading, collecting coins and stamps.
His family includes his wife of 45 years, Carol McPherson of Oskaloosa; three children, Erin Skinner (Jake Williams) and James (Lisa) McPherson all of Oskaloosa, and William McPherson of Des Moines; four grandchildren, Aiden Skinner, Wyatt McPherson, August McPherson, and Tobias McPherson; and a sister in law, Hazel McPherson of Roseville, California.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Larry McPherson.
As was his wish, Michael's body has been cremated and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made the the MHP Serenity Hospice House.