Michael F. Bowyer, age 68 of Linn Valley, Kansas, formerly of Beckley, West Virginia passed away on January 16 after a lengthy battle with liver cancer.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Helen Bowyer and his brother-in-law, Hugh Keatley. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Joyce; daughter, Audrey Bowyer (Derek Helling), Chicago, Illinois; Joyce’s children whom he loved as his own, Emily Poling and Matt Beaver both of Kansas City, and Jennifer Waldron (Gregg), Prescott, Arizona; grandchildren, Evan and Mason Poling and Mark, Micah, Breanna, Brittany, and Jacob Beaver all of Kansas City.
He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Keatley, Daniels, WV, and brother Jim Bowyer (Inga), Myrtle Beach, SC. He was close to his nieces and nephews, Randy Keatley (Karen), Charlotte, NC; Sue DeValdes (Greg), Virginia Beach, VA, Beth Keatley (Jimmy Wentz), Daniels, WV, John and Joey DeValdes, Virginia Beach, David Keatley (Kathleen), Phoenix, Arizona and Hallie Keatley, Laguna Beach, California.
Mike was a 1971 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and a 1975 graduate of West Virginia University. While earning a degree in Printing Management, he worked in the Sports Information Department, continuing his life-long love of sports. After graduation, he was Assistant Sports Information Director at WVU, then moved to Kansas City, working for the NCAA and later the AAU. He then returned to printing, working for several firms, including Chapman’s in Charleston, WV, Cornerstone Design and Copy in Kansas City and retired this past year from J and J Printing, Kansas City.
Mike’s leisure activities usually involved sports, starting with being statistician for his Junior High and High School teams in all sports. He was an avid bowler, played an occasional round of golf, and always supported the children and grandchildren in their sports endeavors. He was volunteer statistician for several years for the local high school while living in Olathe, Kansas.
Mike loved the Mountaineers and continued to follow them, attending at least one home football game a year, as many bowl games as possible, and several away games after WVU joined the Big XII, all with his sister, Nancy.
According to Mike’s wishes, he was cremated and there will be no service.
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