| honorably discharged as a corporal. He later attended Kansas National Guard Officer Candidate School, graduating third in his class as a second lieutenant in 1961. Pete was a member of the Missouri Army National Guard from 1959 to 1968, serving as Commander of the 864th Medical Company and earning the rank of first lieutenant. He later served in the U.S. Army Reserves as a medical officer from 1969 to 1971.
Pete joined the Kansas City Police Department from 1956 to 1965 as a motorcycle officer. In the 1970’s he worked for the Clay County Sheriff’s Department and later graduated from Central Missouri State University, receiving his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1977. He was an investigator for 29 years, and operated Michael and Associates from 1980 until 2004. He served as a councilman for the City of Pleasant Valley from 1974 to 1976 and was an assistant scout master-merit badge counselor for Boy Scouts of America from 1974 to 1977. He was a member of the Northeast Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Bodies Valley of Kansas City, and Ararat Shrine Temple. At Ararat, Pete was a member of its Flying Fez Club and served as a pilot transporting adolescent patients and their families to various Shrine Hospitals for Children in the U.S. from 1980 to 2005.
Pete received his private pilot’s license in 1979. He earned the rank of major in the Civil Air Patrol and has served as Squadron Commander of the Platte Valley CAP Unit in Parkville. He was active with the squadron until 2007. In 2008, Pete received a national award from President George W. Bush, in recognition of more than 5,000 hours of volunteer service, mostly with the Civil Air Patrol and Ararat Shrine Wings of Mercy.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Brenda (MacKinder) Michael, of the home; daughter, Melanie Rodarte; son and daughter-in-law, Mark “Beau” and Karen “Gus” Michael; four grandchildren, John Edwards and wife Kimberly, Jennifer Edwards, Lauren Michael, and Dawn Michael; and his great grandson, Alex Edwards. Pete also leaves his sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Steve Milleson; nephew, Scott Williams, wife Amy, and their sons, Noah and Ian; and a niece, Autumn Williams. Pete also leaves a host of friends, including the many young men and women he mentored during his years with the Civil Air Patrol. Pete considered them his “honorary grandchildren”.
You may send a message to the family or sign an on-line guest book via www.parklawnfunerals.com. Arrangements: Park Lawn Northland Chapel (816) 781-8228. |
