Michael “Mike” Paul Barclay

MICHAEL “MIKE” PAUL BARCLAY

Michael “Mike” Paul Barclay, 44, of Kansas City, MO, passed away Friday, September 27, 2019. Services celebrating Mike’s life were held at 11:00 a.m., Sunday, September 29, 2019 at Park Lawn Funeral Chapel, 8251 Hillcrest Rd., Kansas City, MO. Mike is preceded in death by his grandparents, Don Mills, Joann Cotter and Charles Ray Barclay. He is survived by his parents Charles (Sam) Barclay (Christie), Rhonda Williamson (Chris); children Hunter, Emerald (Emmy) Barclay and Jerry Marrs; siblings Robert Barclay, Madeleine Lewis (Kenneth), Sue Ellen Barclay, Mary Jo Burger (Roy) and Ashley Tezon (Joey); his favorite uncle Arthur (Art) Peasley (Diane), as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

“You can cry because he’s gone or smile because he lived.” - Unknown

Mike was born at KU Medical Center a little early, on June 18, 1975, to Rhonda E. (Peasley) Barclay, in Kansas City, KS.

Mike’s life was always an adventure in which he danced to the beat of his own drum. At the age of 3, Mike chose Charles “Sam” Barclay to be his father, a decision Sam honored by being a wonderful father and mentor to all his children.

Mike attended at Center School district; he didn’t care for school much, but did enjoy spending time with his friends—so much so that they practically lived with the family. Mike’s family grew close to the Nguyen family, who lived directly across the street—so close in fact, they became family. The Nguyen’s helped Mike become the industrious young man that he was. Between the ages 9-14, Mike and the Nguyen’s mowed lawns, helped their next door neighbor Louise with lawn work, helped their mother with anything that needed to be done and still managed to find time to play, run the streets and get into trouble.

Around the age of seven, Mike worked with his grandpa Don, whom he adored. It was while working with grandpa Don that he learned how to drive a golf cart in a warehouse. During the summers, grandpa Don took Mike and the Nguyen’s to the pool 3-4 nights a week—always remembering to stop at 7-Eleven on the way home.

Mike had a natural talent at video games, billiards and taking polaroids; Mike never went anywhere without a camera and he has a photo library to prove it. It was his love of video games and pool cues that led him to discover his strengths—working with his hands, and working with geometry and numbers. Eventually, Mike started working construction doing framing. He worked for over 20 years doing what he loved. Mike got to be outdoors, create new things, taking pride in his work.

Donations may be given in Mike’s Memory to Wayside Waifs or a charity of your choice.

Visitation: 10 AM – 11 AM, Sunday, September 29, 2019 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Road, KCMO 64138

Celebration of Mike’s Life: 11 AM, Sunday, September 29, 2019 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Road, KCMO 64138

Donations: in Mike’s memory may be given to Wayside Waifs or a charity of your choice.