George McConnaughey

A celebration of life for George "Flip" McConnaughey, 69, will be held on Monday, September 26th at 10:30 AM at Highland Park Community Church in Casper, Wyoming. Flip died on September 21st. He waged a valiant and honorable fight against cancer the last 18 months, one that is a huge inspiration to us all. He is an amazing example of how to face adversity with perseverance partnered with God's miraculous strength and power. He was born September 10, 1947 in Casper, Wyoming to George and Phyllis McConnaughey, and grew up in Glenrock, Wyoming where he graduated high school in 1966. Flip graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Masters degree in Public Administration in 1972. While in college, he married Shelia Sutherland. Their 45 years together included lots of adventures and sharing life's simple joys. In 1976, their son Jeffrey was born followed by their daughter, Sarah in 1978. Following graduation, Flip served as the Administrative Assistant and Assistant City Manager in Casper from 1972-1976. In 1976, he became the first City Administrator in Wyoming. Together he and Mike Enzi, who became his lifelong friend, administered Gillette through almost seven years of the first boom. Following that, in 1981, Flip became the longest serving City Manager in Laramie. In 1996 he moved to Washington DC as Senator Mike Enzi's Chief of Staff and served in this position for 20 years until his death. He organized and managed a team that helped to get a record number of bills passed and managed staffs for Health, Education, Labor and Pension issues when the Senator was Chairman and ranking member. As Chief of Staff, he was the co-founder and board member of the Senate Bipartisan Chief of Staff group. Flip was honored to work with many amazing people throughout his career. He always said, "if you like what you do, you never have to work a day in your life." Flip was known to have a knack for knowing when to encourage, when to kid and when to make you laugh. He was a friend and mentor to many who appreciated his self-deprecating humor, straight talk, professionalism, and was an inspiration as a public servant. During his lifetime Flip was active in many professional associations. From 1990-1992 he was Regional Vice President of International City Management Association Board of Directors. He served on the Board of Directors for Wyoming Association and Municipalities from 1982-1996. Flip was active in the Senate Chaplain's weekly bible study, and the Men's Saturday Fellowship at Church of the Good Shepherd where he was a faithful member. His family was one of Flip's greatest joys. He is survived by his wife, Shelia and his children Jeff (Jen) McConnaughey, Sarah (Ryan) Larsen; 8 well-loved grandchildren, Fen (19), Tesla (15), Roma (16), Vitaliy (12), Bodie (11), Laird (9), Jude (7), and Tatum (5). He treasured his family by marriage, Larry and Kim Sutherland, Joann McConnaughey and niece and nephew, Janet and Jay McConnaughey. Flip was preceded in death by his parents, George and Phyllis McConnaughey, brother John McConnaughey, and father and mother in-law, Gene and Erma Sutherland. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials in Flip's name be made to Host Ukraine, the organization whom brought his last two grandsons to the family. Donations can be mailed to: Host Ukraine Inc., 187 Pavillion Pkwy. #107, Newport, KY 41071. Memorials can also be sent to Central Wyoming Hospice 319 S. Wilson St. Casper, WY 82601.

Service

Monday, September 26, 2016 10:30am

Highland Park Community Church

East 2nd

Casper, Wyoming 82609