Michael "Mike" VanSchoyck

1954 - 2025

Michael "Mike" VanSchoyck

Oct 22, 1954 - Sep 7, 2025

Mike VanSchoyck, 70, passed away Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Amarillo, Texas while returning from vacationing with his wife in Colorado. With the many daring childhood misadventures, he and his siblings got up to, his longevity was truly a blessing. Born on October 22, 1954, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Carol Gene VanSchoyck and Patricia Sheehan VanSchoyck; he was the second of five children. He attended Catholic and Tulsa public schools and graduated from Edison HS in 1972. Born to be an engineer, he loved solving technical problems and loathed inefficiencies. He wore the standard engineer's uniform of a plaid, short sleeve button down shirt and styled it with the same haircut and mustache for the last 50 years. Mike attended Oklahoma State University and obtained both a BS and MS in Civil Engineering. He was a registered Professional Engineer and worked for several local firms during his extensive career. He co-owned the business Laser Engineering & Fabrication for 19 years. He met his future wife, Karen Jones, at OSU the day before his sophomore year began. They married on both their parents' 25th wedding anniversary on August 16, 1977, which they often jokingly referred to as "Saint Elvis's day," because it was coincidentally the same day that Elvis died.

Mike was active in his three daughters' activities, including competitive swimming and Venture Scouts. Mike always had something going on. He was the road trip guy and the "Let's get the girls their SCUBA certs" guy. The family toured the US by car extensively. Mike's vacations were an opportunity to explore, listen to long audiobooks and reconnect with his wife and children. Mike believed in strong family ties and saw at least one of his siblings weekly for most of his adult life. His community was large, and he was known for his generosity and helpfulness; always prepared, frequently intervening, and not necessarily asked. If you were about to do something illogical or structurally unsound, he would step in to at least give you a better system for doing it wrong. He worked in the service of others as this was his expression of love. He was a lover of the arts and was introduced to the love of music by his father and invited friends and family to the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra.

Preceded in death by his parents, he is survived by Karen, his wife of 48 years, their three daughters, Carol (Joseph) Bogatko of Tulsa, Kelly (Jim) Langley of Anniston, Alabama, and Lisa VanSchoyck of Tulsa; and three grandchildren, Theodore Bogatko, Sarah Langley, and Benjamin Langley. Other survivors include brother Dr. Patrick (Janell) VanSchoyck; sister Cary (Mike) Nalley; sister Kay Bradley; sister Judy (Jim) Scheel; brother-in-law Red (Penny) Jones, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is survived by his honorary son Emmett (Jenny Phomakay) Reedy and son Silas. Viewing and Prayer Vigil will be held at 6PM on Tuesday, September 16th, and Funeral Services will be held at 10AM on Wednesday, September 17th, both at the Church of the Resurrection, 4804 S. Fulton Ave, Tulsa, OK 74135. The family asks that you celebrate Mike's life with a shared meal with friends and family and share fun STEM games and toys with any kids. Donations to STEM science or education causes are preferred. Go Pokes! www.stanleysfuneralhome.com