Obituary
Michael “Mike” James Geden, age 70, died peacefully following a prolonged illness on Monday October 20th, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.
Mike was born on August 12th, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Elmer Nikolas Geden and Virginia Dorothy (McArthur) Geden. Mike is survived by his wife of 33 years, Sandra “Sandy” Elise (Beattie) Geden, of Orlando; his sons, Daniel Emerson Geden (Andrea) and Alexander “Alex” James Geden, both of Orlando; his siblings, Christine J Geden Hankins (Frank), their children (Jessie and Frankie), and Joseph Paul Geden (Sue) and their children (Angel, Lana, Nancy, and Maddy). Mike is preceded in death by his older brothers, Robert Nickolas Geden (Jan) and William Francis Geden (Emily).
Mike earned his Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, Illinois. In 1981, he moved to Gainesville, Florida and accepted a position as a Geologist at Environmental Sciences and Engineering (ESE), where he worked for more than 15 years. In 1990, he moved to Orlando, Florida to manage the Orlando office of ESE. In 2004, he accepted the Geosciences Department Manager position at Universal Engineering Sciences UES. In December 2024, Mike retired from UES after 20 years with the company.
Mike was a wonderful family man and a loving father. His greatest joy centered on activities with his family. In the early years of their marriage, Mike, Sandy, Daniel, and Alex would begin their summer break with a week-long stay at the Sanibel-Captiva Beaches. Many grand sandcastles were built. For more than 30 years, the family camped, multiple times a year, at Ft. Wilderness Campground at Disney World and while there enjoyed the various theme parks. In addition to Disney camping, the family cherished weekend camping trips to Jetty Park to enjoy Cocoa Beach.
Blessed with an incredibly optimistic demeanor and a sharp wit, Mike had many co-workers, friends and neighbors who enjoyed his company. Mike and Sandy loved entertaining and had numerous pool parties in their palm-tree and plumeria-filled backyard; Mike enjoyed gifting plumeria to friends and neighbors. He also enjoyed woodworking, and one day decided to begin building cornhole boards from scratch. Over the course of 10 years, Mike built almost 20 sets of cornhole boards, which he gifted to friends and co-workers.
To his wife Sandy, Mike was known as Mikey. To his sons Daniel and Alex, Mike was Daddy Man. To friends and co-workers alike, he was Mike or Mikey, and to friends and children in the neighborhood, he was known as Mayor Mike or Mr. Mike. No matter what he was called, Mike will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday November 15th, 2025, (4:30 to 7:30pm) at the Dockside/Canvas Restaurant in Lake Nona (32827). Food and drinks will be provided, so come with your stories about Mikey. Since Mike would expect nothing less than a joyous and fun party, dress casually and for the weather. All are welcome to attend and celebrate. The invite is also posted on Facebook, but pass along the word to anyone who isn’t on FB know that they are invited as well.
One of five children in the Geden family all with sharp wit and mischievous personalities.