Obituary for Michael James Stapp
Michael James Stapp passed away peacefully at home on January 15, 2024, just shy of the age of 67.
Visitation will be 10 am to Noon, with the Funeral Service beginning at Noon, both on Tuesday January 23rd at the Alden-Harrington Funeral Home in Bonner Springs, Kansas.
Mike was born on February 10, 1957, in Tulsa to William K. and Lorie Stapp. The family soon moved to Kansas City where he was raised.
Mike graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School in 1975. He was a tenacious wrestler and reveled in battling his opponents in debate—foreshadowing his future career as an attorney. Mike also had some of the best hair to grace the bridge at SMW.
Mike attended the University of Kansas where he received his Bachelors and Master's degrees in Business, and went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree.
In law school, Mike developed a passion for labor law which led to a 40-year career at Blake & Uhlig, working tirelessly for the rights and dignities of union workers and their families—both nationally and internationally. He was proud to represent the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) as General Counsel and sitting on the board of directors for the Bank of Labor.
Mike’s greatest passion was his family. Mike and Kathy Jo Roberts met through mutual friends in 1994. They quickly fell in love and married in 1997, and were soon blessed with Ava, Sam and Bob. Kathy Jo was the love of Mike’s life and he felt lucky to have her as his wife and forever companion. They traveled together often for business (Kathy Jo is the International Secretary/Treasurer at the IBB), often taking the children as well.
Mike and Kathy Jo actively encouraged Sam, Ava and Bob’s many sporting and scholastic activities and helped guide them as they blossomed into kind, thoughtful adults. He was visibly excited that the kids followed in his footsteps by attending KU and rooting for the Jayhawks. He cherished their weekend visits and “subtly” rolled his eyes at the many shenanigans they perpetrated.
As an adult, Mike continued his childhood love of the outdoors. He fished in Canada with colleagues, puttered around the woods at the family farm and enjoyed target shooting. Mike also spent many hours tailgating enthusiastically at KU football games with his family and friends.
Throughout his life, Mike was an avid and varied reader enjoying Beat Generation prosity, French Realist literature, Roman Empire histories, and satirical detective novels. He could carry on a conversation about almost any topic, and never shied away from sharing his opinion!
Mike was preceded in death by his father, William K. Stapp, and in-laws Ed and Lois Roberts.
Mike leaves behind his wife Kathy and their three children, Ava of Dallas, Sam of Los Angeles, and Joshua Robert (AKA Bob) of Lawrence, KS; mother Lorie; sister Cynthia (Bruce); brother Bill (Sarah); brother-in-law Keith Roberts (Karen); sister-in-law Sheryl Chadwick (Chad); all of the Kansas City area, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family is very grateful for the outpouring of support we have received. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Children’s Mercy Hospital in his memory.
Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Department of Philanthropy, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108.
Visitation will be 10 am to Noon, with the Funeral Service beginning at Noon, both on Tuesday January 23rd at the Alden-Harrington Funeral Home in Bonner Springs, Kansas.
Mike was born on February 10, 1957, in Tulsa to William K. and Lorie Stapp. The family soon moved to Kansas City where he was raised.
Mike graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School in 1975. He was a tenacious wrestler and reveled in battling his opponents in debate—foreshadowing his future career as an attorney. Mike also had some of the best hair to grace the bridge at SMW.
Mike attended the University of Kansas where he received his Bachelors and Master's degrees in Business, and went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree.
In law school, Mike developed a passion for labor law which led to a 40-year career at Blake & Uhlig, working tirelessly for the rights and dignities of union workers and their families—both nationally and internationally. He was proud to represent the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) as General Counsel and sitting on the board of directors for the Bank of Labor.
Mike’s greatest passion was his family. Mike and Kathy Jo Roberts met through mutual friends in 1994. They quickly fell in love and married in 1997, and were soon blessed with Ava, Sam and Bob. Kathy Jo was the love of Mike’s life and he felt lucky to have her as his wife and forever companion. They traveled together often for business (Kathy Jo is the International Secretary/Treasurer at the IBB), often taking the children as well.
Mike and Kathy Jo actively encouraged Sam, Ava and Bob’s many sporting and scholastic activities and helped guide them as they blossomed into kind, thoughtful adults. He was visibly excited that the kids followed in his footsteps by attending KU and rooting for the Jayhawks. He cherished their weekend visits and “subtly” rolled his eyes at the many shenanigans they perpetrated.
As an adult, Mike continued his childhood love of the outdoors. He fished in Canada with colleagues, puttered around the woods at the family farm and enjoyed target shooting. Mike also spent many hours tailgating enthusiastically at KU football games with his family and friends.
Throughout his life, Mike was an avid and varied reader enjoying Beat Generation prosity, French Realist literature, Roman Empire histories, and satirical detective novels. He could carry on a conversation about almost any topic, and never shied away from sharing his opinion!
Mike was preceded in death by his father, William K. Stapp, and in-laws Ed and Lois Roberts.
Mike leaves behind his wife Kathy and their three children, Ava of Dallas, Sam of Los Angeles, and Joshua Robert (AKA Bob) of Lawrence, KS; mother Lorie; sister Cynthia (Bruce); brother Bill (Sarah); brother-in-law Keith Roberts (Karen); sister-in-law Sheryl Chadwick (Chad); all of the Kansas City area, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family is very grateful for the outpouring of support we have received. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Children’s Mercy Hospital in his memory.
Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Department of Philanthropy, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO 64108.