Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland dies at 58. He was the city’s longest-serving leader
Update: Community mourns loss of Olathe mayor. Story here.
Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland died Wednesday night at the age of 58, city officials announced Thursday.
Copeland was the longest-serving mayor in the city’s 162-year history, officials said in a news release. Olathe Mayor Pro Tem John Bacon, who has served on the City Council since 1995, will assume the role of acting mayor.
“I can’t begin to say how much Mike will be missed. I lost a great friend of 40 years, and the community lost a true advocate and cheerleader who loved Olathe,” Bacon said in a statement. “Olathe loved Mike as well. We will do our best to carry on his legacy.”
A cause of death was not immediately available.
In a Tweet, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said, “This morning I was saddened to hear of the passing of Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland. Mayor Copeland served his community with honor and integrity for nearly 20 years. I offer my condolences to the Mayor’s family, friends, and the Olathe community during this difficult time.”
Copeland first moved to Olathe from California to play football at MidAmerica Nazarene University. He joined the Olathe City Council in 1993, then was elected mayor in 2001. Under his leadership, the city grew by nearly 50,000 residents, added 18 parks and spearheaded major projects, such as the Olathe Community Center, a new City Hall, the Indian Creek Library and, most recently, Lake Olathe Park.
Officials said one of Copeland’s “greatest joys was championing Olathe children’s causes.” He created the Olathe Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund which has raised more than $1.5 million for children’s charities. And he read to thousands of Olathe school children through his literacy initiative.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a statement Thursday that Copeland “was a kind, intelligent, generous and affable man, who dedicated his life to his family, his friends and his community.”
“Whether at a ballgame or a business meeting, Michael was genuine, smiling and willing to give welcome advice to a rookie mayor like me. I will miss him and this region will miss his unifying voice in these tumultuous times.”
A friend of Copeland’s, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) said, “As Mayor of Olathe for nearly two decades, his first concern was never for himself but always for his community — how he could make Olathe a better place for every family living there and every individual passing through. I know I speak for many others when I say we came to appreciate, respect and love Mike for the helpful, supportive, and caring friend and leader that he was.”
Jackson County Executive Frank White said Copeland was “an honorable public servant who dedicated nearly 30 years of service to his community and whose contributions will have a lasting impact on the Kansas City region. Mayor Copeland and his visionary spirit will be greatly missed by many.”
Copeland also served on the Bi-State Commission, the KVC Health Systems board of directors, the Union Station board of directors and the University of Kansas Hospital Authority Board.
This story was originally published August 20, 2020 at 11:32 AM.
