Mike McCormick was a loving husband, son, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He was also
a businessman, a lawyer, and more importantly, a great friend to many, no matter their background, wealth,
race, gender, or any other label not relevant to their character as a human being. It would be difficult to
overstate what a unique and magnanimous personality Mike had. His energy and generosity were infectious
to all who knew him, even if they only knew him for a short time. Those who knew him well knew his
gregarious personality and his "give-the-benefit-of-the-doubt" outlook towards people.
This fundamental kindness and empathy for others is a trait that began germinating early in life due
to his loving parents, Mac and Mary McCormick. Mike was born on February 10th, 1960, in Lexington,
MO and lived in nearby Hardin. Mike joined his sister Jana at home and a couple of years later, welcomed
his brother Kip into the family. Mike's humble, small-town upbringing, and the values instilled in him
during his childhood were the lodestar that calibrated his navigation through life, and defined his down-toearth
personality. As with many small towns, everyone knew everyone.
The McCormick household was one full of laughter and love. Mike's father, Mac, was close with
Mike and though Mac was often working several jobs at one time, he still made time to spend with family—
an example Mike followed later with his own children. Sunday school, vacation bible school, and Sundays
at church also kept the family busy on the weekends.
The family moved to Blue Springs, MO, when Mike was in the third grade, until he graduated high
school in 1978. Mike had tons of friends and was loved by everyone. He was captain of his high school
football team and won several punt, pass, and kick competitions when he was young. There was always a
sense of fun in the McCormick household. A highlight for Mike growing up was the family trips to the Lake
of the Ozarks, where they spent from sunup to sundown on the lake waterskiing.
This experience eventually led to Mike's success as a competitive water-skier at both the regional
and national levels. Mike lettered in track and football and was the captain of the football team. He played
center on the gridiron but was also an accomplished middle-distance runner on the track. He ran in every
relay available and was barely off the track before lining up for the most grueling race, the 800 meter (his
specialty). His mental toughness gave him an edge over those competitors less willing to embrace the
struggle and put in the work. The same was true in his career as an attorney. Along with the lesson of good
sportsmanship, Mike often communicated his belief in the values of hard work and commitment to realizing
a goal through the allegory of sport. To him, sports meant more than just winning or losing—they are a way
to learn who you are as a human being, how to improve yourself and accomplish more than you previously
thought possible (on and off the field), and how to show respect to not only your teammates, but to those
you compete against as well.
He later ran track at the University of Missouri, but graduated from the University of Kansas, where
he became a life-long "rock chalk" Jayhawk. Fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a lawyer, Mike
graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law, or as he would call it, "the Harvard of the Mid-
West" in 1985. This springboarded his career as an accomplished, sought-after attorney. In 1984, Mike
moved to the Houston area with his first wife, Lisa Lieurance, where they had two children, Scott and
Madison who they adored. While both went on to remarry, Mike and Lisa remained friends as they
coparented their children.
Mike met his soulmate, Linda Hudson Howard and after a romantic surprise proposal overlooking
Lake Michigan, they were married on June 15, 2002. Romance in their marriage continued as Mike often
bought Linda flowers just because, and he loved to surprise her with greeting cards in her suitcase when
she was away on a business trip. Linda brought three children to the marriage, Camille, Jared, and Mitchell.
Mike and Linda worked hard to blend their family. Mike made it a priority and really enjoyed attending all
of the kids' activities. Whether he was coaching, announcing or attending the kids' baseball, soccer or
football games, waterski tournaments, track meets, concerts, or theater productions, regardless of distance
or scheduling, he showed up with enthusiasm, making sure the kids knew he cared. Mike was a born teacher
and coach. He taught all the kids to snow ski. And he taught all the kids, and many of their friends, to
waterski.
Mike and Linda had a life full of adventure. They traveled often to Europe, Hawaii and Cabo. He
loved trips that involved hiking, biking and being on the water. They also made many visits to Italy where
Linda's relatives warmly embraced Mike as one of the family. He managed to convey his happy, fun,
sensitive nature in spite of the language barrier. Mike and Linda enjoyed going to great restaurants as well
as casual live music venues. Mike had a knack for remembering words to songs and jingles, pairing a
moment with just the right song. Mike was an avid Astros baseball fan and frequently attended the games
with Linda, the kids, and anyone else, infecting them with his knowledge and passion for the game.
Mike could not have been more excited to become a grandfather. He loved Miles, Beckham, James,
and William. When Scott's son, Miles Young was born, Mike outfitted him in a full set of baby Astros gear.
Staying fit and active was always important to Mike. He biked or swam every day. Many mornings began
with him rowing the length of the lake. He enjoyed scuba diving with Scott and Madison. Hunting remained
a life-long passion for Mike. Along with good friends Jeff Greathouse, Will Deaton, and so many others,
Mike enjoyed many great and memorable hunting trips. He also loved to train his hunting dogs and took
great pride in their abilities. The family "hunting lodge" in Kansas was a location of many fond memories
for Mike. He also enjoyed teaching others to hunt, passing on his love for the great outdoors. He often spoke
of how being in nature was where he felt God's presence most deeply.
Mike affected so many people in a positive and unique way. Whether it was teaching an entire little
league baseball team to waterski, or just shooting a friendly smile and goofy joke to the drive through
employee at Whataburger, he was always "turning up the fun dial" and putting a smile on people's faces.
Even during the most difficult times of his life, he tried to find the positive in every situation. He always
strived to judge others by the content of their character and not the sum of their past actions. He always
gave the benefit of the doubt and reserved judgment about others whenever possible. He assumed the best
about people and as a result, people gave him their best, too. He offered forgiveness even if someone may
have done him wrong in the past. He used to say "holding a grudge is like drinking poison and waiting for
the other person to die. It only hurts you." In that way, he was a living example of the most fundamental of
Christian ideals—forgiveness. He readily admitted his own faults and did not shy away from rigorous selfreflection
and personal development. Finally, he was never afraid to apologize or swallow his pride for the
benefit of someone else.
Mike used to say that "only 5% of life is made up of the things that happen to you, the other 95%
of life consists of how you react to those things." Unfortunately, Mike's death happened to all of us when
none of us wanted it, and none of us could do anything about it. But if we are to honor Mike's life, the
tragedy of his death must remain simply something that happened to us, which we have no control over.
What we can control is what we choose to learn from the experiences we shared with him, and the ways we
choose to carry on the lessons that he taught us. That is the other 95%.
Michael McCormick died in a tragic car accident on July 24, 2023. Mike was predeceased by his
and Linda's infant daughter Sara McCormick, and his father, Staley (Mac) McCormick. Mike is survived
by his loving wife, Dr. Linda McCormick. Mike is also survived by his children: Scott (Kayla) McCormick,
Madison McCormick, Camille (Daniel) Richard, Jared (Emily) Howard and Mitchell (Kamryn) Howard.
Mike's grandchildren include Miles McCormick, Beckham Howard, James Howard, and William Howard.
Mike also leaves behind his mother, Mary Ann McCormick, brother Kip (Linda) McCormick and sister
Jana (Robert) Hublick. Mike is also survived by numerous sisters and brothers in law and many loving
nieces and nephews. They all loved and adored Uncle Mike!

An endowment fund been established at the University of Kansas School of Law in memory of Mike. Gifts may be made using the following link.

kuendowment.org/mikemccormick

God willing, we will all see each other again one day. Until then, as Mike would say: "diddle eet
diddle eet diddle eet, that's all folks!"