Michael Locke Botsford

Michael L. Botsford ("Bots"), age 86, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away on January 7th, 2026.

He was born on October 27, 1939, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Richard and Garlandine Botsford.

He graduated from Lafayette High School and then served in the United States Navy as a sonarman on the USS Embattle - MSO-434. After being honorably discharged from the military, he earned college degrees from Northwest Missouri State University (Bachelor's degree), California State University, Long Beach (Master's degree), and the University of Southern California (Doctor of Education). He worked as a public school teacher and secondary administrator in Southern California for 36 years, serving both middle and high schools.

Following his retirement, he taught as a graduate-level professor at several private universities for another 15 years. He thoroughly enjoyed his 51-year career as a teacher and administrator.

Michael enjoyed fishing, camping, and watching football (USC Trojans and the Las Vegas Raiders) with family and friends. He was married to Joyce Carol Larimore (of Onawa, lowa), who passed away unexpectedly in 2015. Together in a 50-year marriage, they produced four sons: Jeffrey (Stephanie), Christopher (Stacy), Damon (Erin), and Matthew. He then married an old friend, Ann Margret Johnson Hull, and he happily gained a stepson, Jonathan. He felt blessed to have nine loving grandchildren: Samantha, Jessica, Alexandra, Danielle, Bobbi, Tyler, Collin, Caitlin, and Emily. He felt doubly blessed to also have seven great-grandchildren: Kayden, Jazmyne, Rowan, Asher, Joey Marie, Harper Faye, and Isabel. They were all his pride and joy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Garlandine, his brother, Francis Richard, and his wife, Joyce Carol. A family service will be private. In honor of his life and memory, the family is requesting that a donation be made to the Wounded Warrior Foundation.