Michael "Mike" Botts

MICHAEL KEVIN BOTTS
Michael ("Mike") Kevin Botts, 68, of Des Moines, Iowa, and formerly of Marshalltown, passed away on July 17, 2024, in Des Moines.
Mike was born on December 4, 1955, in Marshalltown and was the son of Sherman Joseph Botts and Joan Mary (Hausladen) Botts. He grew up in Marshalltown and graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1974. Mike enjoyed camping and scouting and rose to the rank of Eagle Scout while a member of Boy Scout Troop 308. He was also a member of the Order of the Arrow. While attending MHS, Mike was active in music and was the Drum Major for the MHS Bobcat Marching Band for two years. He later attended Iowa State University and was the Drum Major for the ISU Cyclone Marching Band for 4 years. While at ISU, Mike obtained a bachelor's degree in music education and a bachelor's degree in history. He later attended and obtained his law degree from Drake University Law School in 1983. He practiced law in Kansas City, MO, Ankeny, IA. and Alexandria, VA. After practicing law in Kansas City, he returned to ISU to obtain bachelor's degrees in electrical engineering and computer science engineering so that he could expand his expertise in intellectual property law. Following his engineering degrees, Mike practiced with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Virginia and he later moved his patent work and other private practice to Williamsburg, VA.
In his spare time, Mike enjoyed collecting and repairing old musical instruments and playing baritone saxophone in a local jazz band in Williamsburg. He also enjoyed working as a blacksmith at the Alexander Major House in Kansas City and, later, at the George Washington estate in Mount Vernon, VA.
Mike married in 1999 and helped raise four children, Moriya, Madeline, Gabriel, and Amelia Botts. He is survived by his children and his siblings, Sherman (Becky) Botts, Therese (Steven) Sizer, Martin (Carol) Botts, and Catherine (Bill) Brett. Mike is preceded in death by his father and mother, Sherman and Joan. Mike's remains will be buried in a gravesite service for family and close friends at Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown, IA on July 26, 2024.