Michael Thompson Morley, loving husband and father, took his final quantum journey into the unknown on Sunday December 1, 2024, at his home in Lawrence, Kansas.
He made his arrival to the late John C. (Jack) Morley and Marie Thompson Morley on December 7, 1946, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was the oldest of 5 siblings and spent his youth in Kansas City, except for periods living with his family in Denmark (1955) and Scotland (1963), which instilled in him an early love of travel and adventure.
Michael attended Rockhurst High School (Kansas City), Regis College (Denver), and University of Kansas, where he graduated from the School of Journalism in 1969 with a degree in advertising. With the country upended by war he banded together with a group of good friends and spent years living the storied hippie life galavanting across the country. From Arizona to Washington he did various odd jobs and barely stayed out of trouble. He finally landed in the Bay Area where he settled down slightly, married his first wife Sharon Anderson, had a daughter Amanda, and continued his ventures to South America, India, Pakistan and beyond.
How this wild guy came to take a mostly straight-laced Angela Candela to a Rolling Stones concert and marry her still baffles many of us to this day, but their relationship just made sense and is an aspiration to those who know them. They made marriage look easy and were the perfect counterbalance for each other for 41 years.
After stints as a school bus driver, sewing machine mechanic, drug runner and apple picker, to name a few. Michael came to realize he was not content to be an employee. He got a contractor’s license and began by remodeling residential and commercial buildings before moving into new construction and using energy efficient Structural Insulated Panels, SIPs. He wrote the book Building with Structural Insulated Panels in 2000 and invented a system to build geodesic domes using SIPs. One of his domes was erected in Greensburg, Kansas, after a 2007 tornado flattened the town. Of all of his work, his meticulous renovation of his home in Old West Lawrence was closest to his heart. He and Angela always joked that while they loved to travel, there really was no place like home.
His passions included writing, cycling, traveling, gardening (particularly native prairie plants), camping and spending time with his vast network of friends. He was a very engaged member of the Lawrence community. He served two terms as the OWL Association president, took an active part in restoring our brick streets and served on the Historic Resources Commission. He was actively involved in the early days of the Common Ground Community Garden Program and was instrumental in OWL’s own Pearl Clark Community Garden. When he wasn’t doing those things he was tinkering with his prized possession, a 1957 Dodge Power Wagon. Purchased in Arizona, driven daily in California, then to Kansas, it went through many incarnations as he transformed it into the metallic orange flatbed dump truck it is today. As he liked to joke, “he had the truck longer than both marriages put together!”
A creative thinker and teller of tales–be it recounting his own legendary adventures from around the globe, or making up “Johnny and Lizzie” stories for the kids, always picking up where he left off–he was never at a loss for words.
Michael lived a fearless, full life, he never held back and dove head first into each adventure. He was a social butterfly at heart and happiest in the company of others. His friends, family and particularly his grandchildren always brought a smile to his face.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Thomas O’Connor Morley in 1984 and his first wife Sharon Anderson in 2018. He is survived by his wife, Angela Candela of the home, and his proudest accomplishments, his three children, Amanda Stan (Silviu Stan), Lawrence, KS; Jackson Morley (Kat Cummings), Providence, RI; and Hazel Morley (Charles von Rosenberg), Ridgewood, NY. He relished his role as “Hot Rod” to his four beloved grandchildren: Amon and Ursula Morley, Alden and Lewin von Rosenberg. He is also survived by his siblings Kevin Morley, Overland Park, KS; Sheila Morley-Wallis, Shawnee, KS; and Brian Morley, Lawrence, KS.
The family is grateful for the many friends who offered support during Michael’s two-year battle with appendiceal cancer. Your kindness fills our hearts! If there are any who wish to make a donation in his name, Michael was a bird lover and a supporter of Audubon of Kansas.
I knew Michael when he was in Berkeley, CA. He was then a sewing machine mechanic along with other Kansas friends, and lived on Bateman street as did I. He was a good shipmate on several sailing adventures. I kept track of him through Craig Savage, who he worked with on various building projects and businesses.
His friendliness, ready smile and infectious laugh will always be with me.
I knew and worked for Mike a couple of times and found him to a very pleasant person to work for. My real connection though, was through my son Ted and his son Jackson who were high school friends who loved to ride mountain bikes and participate in competitions whenever they could. There were many times that Ted’s mother and I were unable take him to a race, and Mike did my job and took Ted along with Jackson and watched over both of them as they competed. I will always be grateful for this kindness. Mike was also a very accomplished man, we are all fortunate to have had him in our community and are uplifted by the things that he did in our midst. He was a good man.
I’m so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He will be missed. I’ll think of him when I walk past his little prairie.
I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Michael. I also deeply regret that I missed the opportunity to meet you in Virginia the last time.
Reflecting on my time in Lawrence, KS, attending the University of Kansas, I will forever cherish the memories created during my stay at his beautiful historic-charm house. From the moment I arrived until the end, Michael’s warm support and genuine care shattered any preconceived notions I may have held about an American family. His selflessness and warmth transformed my experience in Lawrence, and I will forever be grateful for his generosity and the significant impact he had on my views.
As we grieve the loss of Michael, it is important to remember that his memory will endure, and his legacy will live on through the lives he touched. May his kindness and love continue to inspire us all.
With profound love and utmost respect,
Huy Nguyen, Ph.D.
I met Michael when I first went to work for him, helping to build Tellers restaurant in the mid 1990’s. A spotty employment would follow. But more important, a friendship began.
Michael was a non-judgemental, supportive, consistent friend to me for many years. And it took me a long time to appreciate just how solid a friendship with him was.
I had the pleasure of working on a number of fun projects with him. Those memories will live on. As will the memories of recent visits with him at his home.
Michael carried joy and honesty in his being.
I knew only in your last couple of years, but recognized your larger than life spirit. I will always be grateful for your help building my studio which you will always be a part of. Go well onto the west friend!
Reconnecting with Michael was like time never passed. What a valuable friend and epic memories from the past like bushwhacking through manzanita on acid. My great privilege to have crossed paths with such a fine person.
Keep on trucking Mike, you were the leader of the pack.
I appreciate having you as my cousin. Thank you for your footprint to the Morley.
I am so sorry to hear of Death of Michael. We will all miss him, of course. I have fond memories of our meetings as children. Several years ago I met his wonderful wife, Angela who researched the Morley family. I appreciate both Michael and Angela. They made a big contribution to our family. Thank you, Michael and enjoy your new journey. Love, ginger Morley Copenbarger