Michael D. Crissey

Michael "Mike" D. Crissey, age 74, of Kansas City, MO passed away June 11, 2023 at The Village at Mission, Prairie Village, KS. He was born In Kansas City on February 13, 1949 to Ben and Ruth (Peet) Crissey. Mike married Judy Pierce of Kansas City on March 12, 1973. He is survived by wife Judy, brother Peet (Debbie Hagan), Prairie Village, KS; stepson Mark Perry (Janet), Platte City, MO; niece Susan Wright (Randy), Overland Park, KS; nephews Brooks Crissey (Alexis), Rohnert Park, CA and Spencer Crissey, KC, MO; and grandchildren Deven, Taylor, Katlyn, Dustin and Leslie. He was predeceased by sister Marianne Conroy Neal, Lake Winnebago, MO and brother Dick, Pocatello, ID.
Mike grew up in Kansas City and graduated from Southwest High School. He was active in sports but became fascinated with computers. He studied Computer Science at Penn Valley Community College and began his career with Sprint North Supply Company in Gardner, KS. He joined institutional investment consultant DeMarche Associates, Westwood, KS, in 1982 and rose to Senior Vice President over 17 years working in IT, Operations, Product Development, Sales and Client Service. He accepted a position with Sirach Capital Management as Portfolio Manager, Director of Client Service in 2000 and Judy and he moved to Seattle and later to Bainbridge Island, WA. Over the next twelve years he continued to employ his unique combination of people skills and technical expertise with both Principal Global Investors and Fisco Investment Management. Mike and Judy moved to the warmth and sun of Tucson, AZ in 2012 where Mike worked for both Pathways Financial Partners and Horse Cove Partners prior to moving back to KC in 2017. Mike retired in 2018 to spend more time with Judy and toy fox terriers Bonnie and Clyde.
Mike was a passionate and thoughtful man with many diverse interests. When he wasn't designing software to help artists manage their business, he was training his hunting dog Slate Creek Roc how to perform in competitive field trials. Or playing golf or going to Chiefs games with family and friends. Or fly fishing with Peet or learning how to play his blues guitar or shooting pool. Or voraciously reading science fiction books or serving on the Board of the Ozanam Alternative School for teens or working as a volunteer at the Rotary Youth Camp for disabled kids. He enjoyed German chocolate cake on his birthday, Macallan 12 single malt scotch and Macanudo cigars (his nickname to many was Mac). But relationships, giving back and caring for others were the most important things to Mike. He always tried to work hard and play hard and create a life full of moments that took his breath away.
There is a Zen quote that expresses Mike's joie de vivre (joy of living). "The Master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence in everything he does, leaving others to determine whether he is at work or at play. To him, he is always doing both."
We love you and will miss you. Rest in peace Mac!
A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mike's name to:
Rotary Youth Camp, 22310 NE Colbern Road, Lee's Summit, MO 64086, (816) 524-0923
www.rotaryyouthcamp.org
Arrangement: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278