Michael “Mike” Donnelly of Seymour, Missouri, a former Westport resident, died June 8 during open-heart surgery. He was 75.
Mike Donnelly: 1963 Staples grad Contributed photo
He was born Dec. 22, 1944, in Johnson City, Tennessee, to Harry “Irish” and Lucia Donnelly (she was a former editor of the Westport Town Crier). He grew up in Westport, where he graduated from Staples High School in 1963.
Mike lived an extremely varied and interesting life full of learning, hard work and adventures.
A star high school and college athlete, college graduate, trade- school graduate, parent, motorcycle enthusiast, miner, logger, survivalist and farmer, diesel truck mechanic, youth specialist, outdoor and animal lover, family therapist, countless other descriptors and a great friend to many, he was a true “Renaissance man.”
Mike moved around to various parts of the country before finally settling in the Seymour area with his family on a little farm in the late 1970s. This ended up being his home until his death.
After years of working as a mechanic, he became a family therapist for the Missouri Division Of Youth Services, where he spent many years and countless hours helping youth and families.
He would continue to have many grand adventures, including a stint of working in Antarctica and Russia, but he always really enjoyed his small farm and supporting the local community in his own way.
He was a big proponent of keeping things local long before it was trendy. Mike was a lifelong learner and a voracious reader who was a big supporter of the working people, the disadvantaged, the Earth and his animal friends. Mike’s love of laughter, truth, art, music, stories, justice and peace will remain his legacy.
Mike may no longer be with us, but his impact will certainly live on through the many people whose lives he impacted positively. One of his oldest friends said it best when he said, “I don’t think there was anyone who didn’t like Mike once they actually got to know him.”
He was preceded in death by both his parents; his sister, Lu Dudley, and a number of very dear friends. He is survived by his two daughters, Sylvia and Lisa; two sons, Joad (Coral) and Jean-Paul Bovee (Debbie); five grandchildren: Dalilah, Maggie, Nick, Brett and Lucy; nieces Jesse Wind, Molly and Lily and nephews Daniel, Jacque and Joel; parenting partner and ex-wife Julie Lata (Tom); a world full of friends; two dogs and to even his surprise, two cats.
In lieu of flowers, please consider doing any of the following to continue Mike’s legacy — buy local, help the little person in any way possible, call a politician, write a letter to an editor or participate in community activism/protests/politics.
Mike was a big supporter of animals, the earth and environmentalism and fighting to help lift the disadvantaged up. One of the last causes/important projects he was really proud of and helped support is a locally written and produced theater production called “The Milly Project.” A direct donation can be made to The Milly Project, c/o the Gillioz Theater, 325 Park Central East, Springfield, Missouri 65806.
Memorial services will be held on Aug. 9 and Sept. 5.
