Gale W. Bogard, better known as “Mike” was born on July 15, 1940 in Lovington, New Mexico. He passed peacefully on Wednesday, February 3, 2022.
Growing up and attending school in Augusta, Kansas, he excelled in football, basketball and track. Mike received a full football scholarship from the University of Kansas and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Education degree. He attended Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas earning a Master’s and a Specialist Degree of Education while coaching all sports with Ron Slaymaker. Returning to the University of Kansas, Mike earned a Doctorate of Education. Mike was an Athletic Director and Chairman of the Physical Education Department at Missouri Southern University in Joplin, Missouri. At Park College in Parkville, Missouri, he was a Dean of Students.
Mike was a member of the Lawrence Board of Real Estate from 1978 thru 2010. During his sales career at Stephen’s Real Estate he often led citywide sales. Concurrently, Mike with his wife Jill, built and managed Bogard Rentals.
He is survived by Jill, his wife of 29 years, his daughter Cindi Bogard Long (Dennis) Lawrence, son, Jason Bogard (Demond) Venice, CA., stepchildren Beau (Christine), Jasmin Meisinger (Christopher) Chicago, IL., grandchildren Nicholas and Carter Long, Lawrence, Scarlett and Finley Meisinger, Chicago, and Zoe Keating, Gig Harbor, WA. He is preceded in death by his parents Gale E. and Dorotha Bogard and a stepson, Trevor Messenger.
There is only one Happiness – to Love and to be Loved. Please pay a kindness forward.
A Celebration of Mike’s life will be held at Arterra Event Gallery, 2161 Quail Creek Dr, Lawrence, KS 66047, on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at 10 am.
