Michael Roy "Mike" Falley

Michael Roy Falley, 79, passed away peacefully in Lawrence, Kansas, surrounded by family on September 18, 2025.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly; his sons, Jason (Erin), Joshua (Cherry), and Jay (Hannah) Falley; and their mother, Linda; and Bev's sons, Jeremy (Jennifer) and Nicholas (Kyrie) Totten. He also was the proud grandfather of 8 grandchildren: Katy, Grace, Hayden, Parker, William, Henry, Patrick and Evelyn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Anita Falley and his sister, Sue (Falley) Anderson.

Born August 8, 1946 in Topeka, Kansas, Mike grew up in his family's grocery business. From sweeping the floors at his father's store before junior high school to managing one of the Falley's stores after graduating from KU, his time spent in the grocery industry was dear to him and he was loved by customers and colleagues alike.

Mike attended Wentworth Military Academy in Missouri where he was part of the swim team and played drums in the marching band. One highlight of his life was participating in the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans as a teen with the band's drum corps. After graduation, he completed basic training as an Army medic, followed by 5 years in the Army Reserves. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Economics, where he was part of the KU marching band. After graduation, he returned to his work at Falley's and Food 4 Less where he helped establish franchises across the country.

After the family business was sold, Mike helped create a new company, Corporate Plan Management (CPM), an administrator of benefit packages for independent businesses. Upon retirement, he sold this business to his trusted CEO. He was also owner of Island Dreams Travel in Lawrence, where he lived for over 25 years.

Mike's love of travel took him all over the world to over 60 countries across 5 continents. When asked about his favorite place to visit, his answer was always Tanzania (the Serengeti, viewing the wildlife in their natural habitat), closely followed by the train trip through the volcanic landscape of Ecuador, and his first glance up at the temple at Abu Simbel in Egypt, which brought tears to his eyes. His love of the sea took him many times to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and other coastal destinations. He met many people during his travels who have remained friends throughout his life. He was comfortable in any environment and liked to say that the only language he needed to travel the world was the language of "Smile".

One trip that he took every year for over 45 years was a canoe trip to one of the rivers in Southern Missouri, started with a friend and their young sons. What started as a small group of fathers and sons grew to a group of up to 50 or more fathers, sons, friends and guests throughout the years. Although he has passed the "Coordinator" position to one of the next generation, he continued to enjoy this trip every year until very recently. The group still looks forward to this every year and it now includes grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the original group.

Some of Mike's fondest memories were being a father to his sons and Bev's sons, always being there for them and teaching them by example to "do the next right thing". He was a coach, a mentor, an ally, a motivator and a stalwart fan of all of them as well as many of their friends.

Mike loved spending the mornings having coffee, watching the animals in the yard and listening to the birds sing. This was his time of meditation and reflection. He enjoyed going to the local theatre in Kansas City and finding venues for live music (occasionally participating), both at home and while traveling.

Mike was loved by everyone he met. We will miss his smile, his stories, his humor, his hugs, his kindness, his optimism and his positivity which filled every space he occupied.

Through these many years, the words repeated time and time again from people talking about Mike after meeting him, traveling with him, caring for him or in any way connected to him, were these: "He is such a sweet man".

Just moments before he left this world, the soft, familiar tune of Brahms' Lullaby chimed through the hospital's sound system, signaling a new baby had been born. The circle of life was complete.