Larry Arlan

well this really is awful...i told mike i would try to see him when i traveled to woodward..but never got the timing right...and that is my profound loss...great sense of humor..solid good friend..and, as with others of our class a true loss...i hope eveyone has a pleasant thought...a slight chuckle..and a fond memory of mike...r.i.p.pal...you are truly missed..

James Osborne

For me, this is deeply felt. Mike and I were very close from Bingham all the way through Southwest. Although we lost touch with each other over the post HS year, we had always shared several of the same close friends.

I had been in touch with him recently, on the SW Alum. page trying to find another very close friend,, upperclassman Mike Frech, that Mike, myself and several others ran around with throughout our HS years, Frech had a car and together along with many others we acumulated..miles, smiles and lots of memories. 

Mike and I met at Bingham and had several classes together, the most memorable, was Vocal Music w/ Mss Davidson..we performed a few duets together in class and at two Bonanza's. Mike had a strong voice. 

Later at SW Mike, along with Mark Jones, Glen McCrary Mike was instumental forming our own group/club..we called ourselves the Turtles, complete with ID cards Mike printed at his Dads work place, a print shop, I carry mine to this day. As Turtles we fell a little, ahem..well let's just say we were a little on the 'rougish' side..and our times together were almost always..a hoot

Mike, always a good student..was a standout in eveything he tried and had a wide circle of friends from his Marlboro days straight through HS.

My close friend..Mike will continue to hold a sweet spot in the memories of a huge circle.

Saying goodbye Mike..but only for now.

Doug Noblet

My initial reaction upon hearing of Michael's passing was, "Damn!" As with many of us, Mike was always friendly if not a true friend through Bingham and SW, sharing classes, laughs, and fond experiences. Most recently, we've kept in touch on Facebook, messaging on mutual interests, his auction captures always a fascinating topic of pleasantries. I'd share anything I'd find about his son's ship and we'd chat. Good gracious, I was floored when I heard this tragic news. I shall miss him dearly. 

Michael Moriarty

Sorry to hear about Mike's desth.  We met in jinior high at Bingham and were friends throughout high school.  May he rest in peace.

Glen McCrary

We all use the term "we grew up together", for Mike and, I it's a fact. It all started in kindergarten at Marlborough then on to Bingham and of course, Southwest and beyond.

We lived about a block apart and walked to and from school together most everyday until we started driving then rode together in my 1954 Ford. We joined the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts earned our Eagle Scout awards together. We attended Scout Camp and became members of the Tribe of Mic O Say together. When younger we purchased go-karts together and terrorized the neighborhood until we were visted buy the KCPD....something about a noise ordinance.

 Mike and I along with Carol Neno assisted Carol's Father, Pete, with teaching  swimming lessons to younger kids at the Fairyland Park pool. Pete was one of KCPD's finest. Our compensation for helping was free admittance to the pool. We spent many fun-filled afternoons enjoying  that privelege. To this day every time I hear Stevie Wonder's "Fingertips" I flashback to those days at the pool as that song was the rage at the time and  was continually blasting from the jukebox.

Mike Frech was older and had a car, a '53 Chevy I believe. I won't elaberate but there were many a good time had in that old Chevy, Jim Osborne was usually involed and occasionally  Mark Jones and Tom Agnew.

One Spring day during our Junior year we decided it would be fun to ditch school and drive to Prairie Lee Lake to slide down the spillway into Lake Jacomo. On the way, a 50 Highway curve, excessive speed and a rain slick surface, put my beloved '54 Ford over the ditch and into a rock fall. Fortunately, no one was injured. You can bet my folks were extremely proud of us that day! Oh yes, Jim Osborne was with us, regarding Jim I'm beginning to see a pattern develop here.

Mike was smarter then me and after high school he joined the Air Force Reserves while I was later drafted  into the Army and sent to Vietnam. During my deployment, Mike was a pillar of support for my parents and a frequent guest at Sunday dinners.

Upon my return Mike was anxious to introduce me to the new world of Go-Go Clubs  he had discovered. Our first visit was to a joint named the Filling Station Club at 39th and Stateline. Long story short, again together, we became involved in our first bar room skirmish when some big SOB emptied a salt shaker into Mike's beer. Sadly, I came out on the losing end of that adventure and still bare the scare on my lower lip.

Probably about 1973 Mike and I purchased pickup trucks together, mine a Ford, Mike's a Chevy of course. Shortly thereafter we moved into our first apartment in Grandview, MO and the good times began!  Again, Mike being the smarter one  decided that paying rent was not a good investment and bought his first house. I was invited to move in with him.

Mike was my best man at my first wedding. I'll never forget that just moments prior the ceremony someone noticed the tags were still dangling from the new suit Mike had purchesd for the event. We laughed about that for years.

The stories could go on and on.

Unfortunately, as too often happens, life gets in the way of friendships and with the exception of an ocassional facebook post Mike and I drifted apart but the many memories of "growing up together" remain.

As I write this tonight I raise a glass to my first best friend and my best ever best friend. 

Rest in peace Old Friend and save me a spot.

Glen McCrary.