Michael "Mike" C. Rowe Sr.

Michael “Mike” Charles Rowe. 84, passed Saturday, April 27, 2024. (A man of many names besides Mike - “Rowe” or Honey by his wife, Dad, Papa, Coach, Senor, Slurch, Big Mike) Mike was born May 28, 1939, to Grant “Bud” Rowe and Mayme Stephenson Rowe in Wichita, Kansas. After growing up with his sisters Nancy and Diane in Planeview, KS, the family moved to Riverside where he attended John Marshall Jr High. He graduated from Wichita North High School in 1957 and was proud to be Once a Redskin, Always a Redskin. It was then he met his lifelong friends—The Riverside Gang—who have forever kept in close contact. They played basketball together in an adult league, outscoring their opponents in every game. After graduation, he attended Friends University intending to become a teacher, but found his niche keeping books for Miles Sand, co-owning Crystal Lake. He helped his son Mark start Hospice Care of Kansas, which became Rivercross Healthcare, and a consultant to his son Grant with Valor Hospice and Palliative Care in Tucson. He retired from Rivercross Hospice in 2019. He passed his diligent work ethic on to all 4 of his children and they to theirs. Mike was a jack of all trades; He could fix anything. His philosophy was if it could be done, then he could do it. He saved his employers a lot of money, since they didn’t have to hire a handyman.

Mike met the love of his life in high school, Sidney Aldrich, when they were 15 yrs. & 17 yrs. respectively and they were married 63 years. He was a devoted father to Michael, Jr. (Sheryl), Mark, Grant (Natasha) and Melissa Phillips. His grand children were the light of his life, Trey (Rachel) Rowe, Sarah (Ben) Coleman, Cooper Rowe, Emma and Lauren Rowe, Hayley Phillips (Alex Barker) , Kaitlyn (Bubbie) Nixon, and Bradyn Phillips (Winston Latimer), stepsons Brook (Susan) Grommesh, Blake Grommesh and great granddaughters, Addison, Layla, Hallie, Elliott and Lillian.

Sports were his world---after vowing he would never get involved “that little league stuff”, he was talked into coaching kindergarten boys’ baseball, and he was immediately hooked. First, he coached his sons’ baseball, basketball and football teams and the All-Star Biddy Basketball team sponsored by the Salvation Army in Puerto Rico. He was selected to be in the Salvation Army Basketball Hall of Fame. By then, he was coaching girls’ basketball and fast-pitch softball teams. His teams not only played in local leagues, but also were extraordinarily successful traveling teams. After his own kids aged out of sports, he continued coaching other youngsters and eventually was a Rule 10 softball coach at Maize High School. He impacted the lives of many young boys and girls. Through sports, he made many close friends. He was an avid WSU fan, holding tickets to the basketball team for 30+ years.

Mike’s faith strengthened over his last 16 years as he faced and beat cancer and his many valent struggles over his last years. He was baptized at Asbury Church and, until his recent decline, attended church and Sunday School.

Mike never met a stranger—especially if they could talk sports and he had a witty sense of humor—short quips’, remembering names and faces. Although in his last months, he did not communicate much, the quips and humor continued to the end. Mike was diagnosed with Cognitive Impairment 10 years ago, and idiopathic hydrocephalus, which required a shunt, 5 years ago. After multiple infections and hospital and rehab stays, it was evident that his wife Sid could not care for him at home. We are grateful for Larksfield Health Care for the care that they gave him this last year—he made many friends and was a favorite of the staff and to Rivercross Healthcare who bent over backwards for him—Denise, RN, Juana, RN, Kelly, HHA, Sammie, HHA, Alex, RN, and Robert, chaplain were there for not only Mike, but for Sid as well.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Grant “Bud” Rowe and Mayme Stephenson Silverman, sister Nancy Rowe Prior and her husband Elvis, niece Julie Herring, nephews, Elvis II and Elvin Prior, and step grandson Blake Grommesh.

He is survived by his wife Sidney, children Michael (Sheryl), Mark, Grant (Natasha), Melissa Phillips and companion Damion Walker, nine grandchildren and five great granddaughters, sister Diane Rowe Herring, sister-in-law Ragene (Ben) Moore, special niece Wendy Weatherson, nephews, Dave (Susan) Weatherson, Scott Herring, Beecher (Julie) Prior, niece Elvia Prior, great niece, Harleigh (Jordan) Ysidro, great niece, Shae (Tyler) Hutto, great great nephew, Waylon Ysidro, best friend Gale Wenzel and many other loving family and friends, too numerous to mention.

Visitation with family: Monday, May 13, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Hillside Funeral Home West, 2929 W 13th St. N. Celebration of Life, Tuesday, May 14,2024, Asbury Church, at 1:00 pm, 2801 W. 15th St N. Casual dress, men wear your plaid shirts.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with: Two Rivers Youth Club, P.O. Box 1514, Wichita, KS 67201: Asbury Church 2801 W. 15th, Wichita, KS 67203; Rivercross Healthcare, 251 Whittier St, 67207. Services in care of Hillside Funeral Home West. Share tributes and read the full obituary online at www.dignitymemorial. Services will be live-streamed on the Asbury Church site: www.asburychurch.org.

“A coach will impact more young people in a year than the average person does in a lifetime,”- Billy Graham.

Mike you will be missed by many—make room for all of us in your new home.