Michael Gill Massey

Michael (Mike) Massey, age 75, a loving, giving, and witty husband and father passed away peacefully at his home in Denver, Colorado on January 5, 2022. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Francis Massey, and his sister Sharon Lynn Novotny. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kathie Edmiston Massey of Denver; his daughter and her husband, Michele and Tim Alexander of Denver; his nieces Kim (Darrell) Bennett and Patricia Novotny of Wichita; his brother-in-law Buck Novotny of Wichita; his nieces Autumn (Scott) Lawson, Amber Edmiston, Jennifer (Rick) Stegeman; his nephew Paul (Sheila) Edmiston, and many other family and friends.

After leaving Wichita, Kansas for college, he graduated summa cum laude in 1971 from University of Denver. He served as editor-in-chief of the Denver Law Journal (currently known as the Denver University Law Review). For many years, he was also editor of The Annual Survey of Colorado Law. In addition, Mike spent 30 years practicing law in Denver between a mid-sized firm and as a partner in his own firm. Following his corporate and securities law career, he joined the Lawyering Process faculty at The University of Denver in 2000.

Mike was a past president of the DU National Alumni Association and a past president of the Denver Athletic Club. He was also a past chair of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) and chairman emeritus of Historic Littleton, Inc. At the time of his death, he was very involved with the National Repertory Orchestra (current Board of Trustees President) and was very proud of creating and being actively involved with what is now the Professional Mentoring Program at the DU Sturm College of Law. He took immense pride that what started with two of his sections of the Lawyering Process (“LP”) class in 2005, has grown into the Professional Mentoring Program that currently has some 350 mentors who mentor approximately 475 students. This includes 80-90% of each incoming first year level (1L) classes to the Juris Doctorate program. No other law school in the country has such a program.

Mike loved dabbling in politics (early in his career), writing, singing, traveling, participating in local plays, enjoying his rooftop terrace, and reading. More than these things, he loved his wife, his daughter, and his family and friends.

Memorials may be made in his honor to The Denver Hospice (www.thedenverhospice.org/donations) or to the National Repertory Orchestra (www.nromusic.org/donate).

A celebration of life will be planned for a future date, which will allow for an event, worthy of Michael G. Massey.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhampdenmortuary.com for the Massey family.