Michael Fleming Whyte

Michael Fleming Whyte, born June 19, 1963, in Newport Beach, Calif., to Richard and Judith Ann Whyte, died Friday, May 24, 2019, at his home in Hailey, Idaho, surrounded by family, after a courageous, year-long battle with lung cancer.

Michael grew up in Newport Beach and attended Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Calif. In 2001, he moved to St. Paul, Minn., to follow the calling of his grandfather, Lester Fleming Grant, and work in the food service industry. Before long, he became a well-beloved chef at the York Room, a retirement community in St. Paul with more than a hundred residents. It was also in Minnesota that he took his first flying lessons and deepened his knowledge and love of music, science, fiction and World War II aircraft and aviation history.

After several years, Michael moved again, this time to Hailey, where he served the public faithfully for over 12 years at Cristina’s restaurant in Ketchum. Declining health forced him to retire from that work in 2018 so he could devote all his energy to fighting his disease.

Those left to cherish Michael’s memories include his parents; his sons Cameron, of Prescott, Ariz., and Evan, of Ketchum; his sister Cathy Nikoliasons, of Hailey, and Cathy’s children, Jake and Aija; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends. Michael will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of Michael’s life will be held at the Sweetwater Clubhouse in Hailey on Saturday, June 15, 2019, from 4-7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made in Michael’s name to the American Cancer Society or Mountain States Tumor Institute.