A Celebration of life for Michael “Mike” Paul Kyriakos, 65, Lawrence, will be 1-4pm, June 12, 2021 at Broken Arrow Park in Lawrence, KS. Please dress casual, tie dye and Ottawa high school apparel appreciated. Masks are encouraged as well as social distancing.
Mike passed away on Sunday, January 24th 2021.
He was born on June 10, 1955 to Jamie and Donald Bales in Albuquerque, NM.
After the passing of Donald Bales, Jamie married Dr. Michael Kyriakos who lovingly adopted and raised Mike. The family resided in Kirkwood, Missouri where Michael attended Kirkwood High School, graduating in 1973. Mike briefly attended the University of Washington in St. Louis. He later transferred to the University of Kansas and graduated with a degree in secondary education.
Mike began teaching in the Ottawa school district. He taught at Ottawa Middle school and later transferred to the Ottawa High school where he taught Sociology and American History. During his time at both schools he coached volleyball, cross country, track and field, and assisted with basketball and wrestling. Mike was the sponsor for the Ottawa High School Key Club.
Mike was very active with his children’s sports coaching them in both softball and volleyball. He was an avid music lover and enjoyed attending concerts through the year. He loved sports of all kinds, especially the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas University Jayhawks basketball team.
Mike was preceded in death by his father Donald Bales, his mother Jamie (Bales) Kyriakos, his aunt Jeanette Jordan, his uncle Richard Edwin Jordan and his brother-in-law Dr. Gary Vinyard.
Mike is survived by his wife, Sara (Vinyard) Kyriakos, his daughters Paula Forsythe [Noland] and Ellen Kyriakos, his brothers Edwin Matthew Kyriakos [Paula McAfee] and Kelly Kyriakos [Danielle], his father Dr. Michael Kyriakos, his aunt Ann Jessen [Hans], his aunt Irene Jordan, and his six nieces and nephews Zach Vinyard, Morgan Vinyard, Alex Kyriakos, Ashley Kyriakos, Noah Kyriakos and Jake Kyriakos.
