Michael W. Overly

With heavy hearts but deep gratitude for an incredible loving life well lived, we share that Michael Overly went to heaven peacefully on July 17, 2026, surrounded by the people who loved him dearly. He was 78 years young and lived in Dayton. A lifelong musician, his instrument was the guitar. Michael was also a writer, publisher, artist and lover of nature, books, art and God. He was a GRAMMY nominated music educator.

The oldest of two children, Michael was born and raised in Dayton to Allan and Jean Overly. His musical talents were recognized even as a small child. At age 6, he was voted to conduct the first-grade chorus. At 13, he got his first guitar and within 2 years, he was teaching at the local music store. At age 14, George Benson let Michael play his guitar and jam with Jack McDuff. Michael toured and played with many musicians. With Tommy Boyce (hit songwriter for The Monkees) he had a band called Christopher Cloud. Michael also had a band called AIM where he was the opening act for Steely Dan, Guess Who and many others. AIM for the Highest was the title of his album and it was also a way of life for Michael. He was always aiming for the highest good in himself and for the world. If you were to ask Michael what he wished for, he would always say, “Peace.”

Michael graduated with the highest honors in Music Composition from the University of Hawaii and was a Pi Kappa Lambda member. He was an original thinker. He was never one to take someone else’s idea and rehash it in a different way. That wasn’t who he was. He thought deeply every single day about music as applied to the guitar and bass. His goal was to help guitar and bass players become better musicians, so they would never want to put down their instruments out of frustration or loss of interest. Instead, they would have so much fun playing their guitar or bass that they would never want to stop. As Michael would say, “I’ll be listening.”

Michael’s deep desire to guide and help guitar and bass players created 12 Tone Music Publishing. Born from decades of thoughtful and precise thinking, the Guitar EncycloMedia, Bass EncycloMedia, Tone Note Method Books, Fretboard Facts, Fretboard Truths, and Flashcards were created, among others. Each published book was carefully tuned from over 64 years of hands-on application through his private teaching. He liked to say that his students were teaching him what they needed and wanted to know. It was his job to give them that information in a clear, truthful and methodological way that was simple and easy to understand.

Michael answered to Mike, Michael, Paganini and Uncle (to the younger folks in Hawaii and Pennsylvania).

Michael was preceded in death by his father, Allan Overly (stepmother Theresa), his mother Jean (Overly) Ryan (stepfather Whitey), and his sister, Patsy Overly. He is survived by his former spouse, Margaret Matsumoto, together they were always there

for each other for 46 loving years; his sweet and loving girlfriend of 15 years, Sharon Gavlick; his dear friends, Mark Jobe and John Monigan who helped to make 12 Tone Music a reality for the world, Mark Violet who was very dear to Michael, Ann Yamamoto who always considered him “family,” John Kennard, who was a very close student, Steve “Wheels” Wheeler, Ron Goldstein, Paul Clapham, and Kirby Johnson; his kind and friendly neighbors; and his students from all over the world who knew and loved Michael through his incredible life and teachings. All were richly blessed to have been part of his life and to have loved, and been loved, by him.

Michael will be greatly missed more than words could ever say. He will live within us forever, and our love for him will last through all eternity.

A hui hou, until we meet again, we will hold you dearly in our hearts, souls and spirits. We will love you forever and ever, Amen.

To share a memory of Mike or to leave a special message for his family, please visit the Guestbook below.

I give you my wings

So you can have two pairs

And when mine grows back

I know, you were always there.

G

   LOVE

 D

~ So these things Endure forEver

FAITH, HOPE and LOVE

and the Greatest of these

((( Is LOVE )))

1 Corinthians 13:13