Michael Joseph Scanlan

Centennial - Michael Joseph Scanlan, 84, of Centennial, CO, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2025. A CPA, Ph.D., professor, veteran, and devoted family man, Mike was known for his sharp mind, infectious laugh, and love of golf, Budweiser, and Mizzou sports.

He was born January 16, 1941, in St. Joseph, MO, and raised in Cameron, he graduated from Cameron R-1 Schools in 1959. He earned degrees in accounting from the University of Missouri, where he was a proud member of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), and later completed his Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin. His dissertation helped pioneer the intersection of auditing and computer systems.

Mike's academic career included teaching at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he served as a professor and mentor in the School of Accountancy for many years. He also taught at Indiana University, Southern Illinois University, the University of Denver, and with the U.S. Army Finance Corps at Fort Benjamin Harrison.

He served as Finance Director for the City of Columbia, Missouri, and later joined Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., working in New York and Denver. In 1981, he founded Scanlan & Associates and remained in private practice until his passing.

Mike was the official scorekeeper for the Mizzou Men's Basketball Team in the 1970s and an original member of Lone Tree Golf Club, where he made lifelong friends and achieved one of three hole-in-ones.

Mike is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Tappy; his daughter Shelly and son-in-law Brent Rogers; his son Clay and daughter-in-law Deborah Scanlan; grandchildren Camilla Rogers, Alex Rogers, Jack Scanlan, Michaela Scanlan, and Ashling Scanlan; his sister Mary Anne Jones; sister-in-law Glenda Scanlan; nephews Allen Jones and Matthew Scanlan and their families; and countless friends, students, and fellow budgeteers.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Gladys Scanlan; his brother, Charles Mack Scanlan; and his brother-in-law, Walter Thomas Jones.

A Celebration of Life will be held August 16 at 4 PM at Lone Tree Golf Club in Lone Tree, CO.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joseph A. Silvoso Professorship in Accountancy at the University of Missouri, 407 Reynolds Alumni Center, Columbia, MO 65211. Memo: In honor of Mike Scanlan.