Mayor Michael Copeland

Michael Eber Copeland passed away peacefully at his home on August 20, 2020. He was born on February 12, 1962, in Redlands, California, to his beloved parents, Eber and Jo Copeland. He attended Lutheran High School in La Verne, California, where he excelled in academics and football. Mike’s leadership and love of service blossomed as he participated in ROTC and student government.
Mike’s path to Kansas was set in motion when his sister, Virginia, her husband, Dr. Dick Morgan, and Dr. Ray Cook suggested he visit a young, growing Nazarene college in Olathe – MidAmerica Nazarene College. Mike’s decision to attend MANC to play football would not only impact the trajectory of his life, but ultimately, the lives of generations of Olatheans to come.
It was during these formative college years that Mike developed his natural leadership skills, serving as Student Body President his senior year. Throughout these years, Mike forged the lifelong friendships that would keep him in Olathe following his graduation in 1984. Mike’s call to public service was inspired by the life and ministry of Dr. Paul Cunningham, his pastor at College Church of the Nazarene, where he has been a member for 40 years.
While Mike leaves an enduring legacy of leadership in Olathe and beyond, he would say his greatest legacy is his wife of 24 years, Maria, and his children, Olivia, Abigail, and Joshua. If asked about his favorite occupation, he would say it was being a dad. Along with his unyielding faith, it was Mike’s family that inspired his every action and vision for a brighter future. Unconditional love, servant leadership, and compassion were steadfast values that anchored and guided him, and he defined his personal success as being in the center of God’s will.
To know Mike was to love him because he made you feel known, loved, and valued. A dedicated and compassionate son, brother, husband, father, and friend, he never met a stranger.
Mike was first elected to the Olathe City Council in 1993 to represent Ward 4. He served as an At-Large Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem prior to his election as Mayor in 2001. Mike became Olathe’s longest-serving Mayor, and under his leadership, the City of Olathe transformed from a bedroom community to a world-class city.
Mike’s faith and personal relationship with Christ compelled him to dedicate himself to serving others, especially those most in need. Nowhere was that more evident than in his commitment to Olathe children. He established the Olathe Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund Board in 2007 (whose members he fondly referred to as Olathe’s “big-hearted bigwigs”). The Board, in partnership with the community, has raised over $1.5 million for Olathe children’s charities. His passion for children’s literacy shined in his “I Read with Mayor Mike” program, which was recognized by the National Points of Light Foundation, as well as by First Lady Laura Bush, who traveled to Olathe to highlight the initiative. Every year since the program began in 2005, Mayor Mike read to first graders in each Title I elementary school in the Olathe School District. He was a constant and passionate champion of Olathe schools and education.
Mike led the City of Olathe through years of unprecedented growth and development. During his tenure, the city grew by nearly 50,000 residents. Mike championed many significant projects enhancing Olathe’s quality of life, including a new City Hall, downtown revitalization, the Olathe Community Center, the new Indian Creek Library, 18 City parks, numerous trails, and most recently, Lake Olathe Park. He also saw the completion of many major transportation projects, including the Santa Fe railroad grade separation, the 127th Street overpass, and the Lone Elm interchange.
Mike was not only engaged in Olathe, but throughout the region. Among many other volunteer boards and committees, he served on the Bi-State Commission since its inception, the Union Station Kansas City Board of Directors, the KVC Health Systems Board of Directors, and the University of Kansas Hospital Authority Board. He also participated in numerous philanthropic groups and causes.
Mike’s vision and leadership have ensured that Olathe’s government is transparent, resilient, and fiscally strong. As a result, resident satisfaction levels for quality of City services and quality of life have become some of the highest in the nation. Olathe is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s safest cities and best places to live.
Professionally, Mike most recently served as the GSA Heartland Regional Administrator. He had previously served as a bank examiner with the U. S. Treasury, Office of the Controller, in Washington, D.C., and as a bank executive with Security Savings Bank and the Bank of Blue Valley. Mike also served the State of Kansas in the Departments of Labor and Commerce.
Mike often said that nothing made him prouder than knowing that Olatheans deeply value and care for each other. He believed it was Olathe’s tremendous community spirit that made our city great, and he was truly Olathe’s best cheerleader. He established the Olathe Cathedral Builder Award, which he proudly presented each year to individuals who had made outstanding contributions in building the Olathe community.
While Mike was personally recognized with numerous local, regional, and national awards and honors, he was always quick to credit his team, especially his colleagues and trusted friends on the City Council and Olathe’s dedicated City staff.
Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Jo Ransbarger Copeland; his father, Eber Loranz Copeland; and his brother, Paul Andrew Copeland. He is survived by his wife, Maria, and children Olivia, Abigail, and Joshua; his sisters, Virginia Morgan (David) of Healdsburg, CA; Peggy Baldwin of Maui, HI; and Sarah Draper (Dean) of Olathe; his sister-in-law, Jayna Sparrow (Rob) of Overland Park; his uncle, Paul Copeland (Barbara) of Lake Havasu City, AZ, and children Paulette, Diane, Pam, and Cindy; and cousins Loretta Ice of Bakersfield, CA; Ann Warren (Fred) of Lenexa; Toni Holochwost of Bakersfield, CA; and Pat Behrens of Norman, OK.
Nieces and nephews include Elizabeth Morgan Allen (Eric) and children Zachary and Nichole of Kansas City, MO; David Morgan (Danielle) and children Jack and Sam of Santa Rosa, CA; Celeste Cooper and children Carmelita Jo and Colson of Oakland, CA; Sam and Dwight Baldwin of Maui, HI; James Trahey of Olathe; and Jenay, Andrew Paul, and Ashley Copeland of Overland Park.
A visitation will be held on Friday, August 28, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., followed by a celebration of life service at 4:15 p.m. at College Church of the Nazarene, 2020 E. Sheridan Street in Olathe. A private graveside service will follow. A stream of the funeral will be available at OlatheKS.org/OGN beginning at 4:15 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that memorial contributions be made to the family. Contributions should be mailed to: Family of Michael Copeland, c/o Bank of Blue Valley, 958 W. Santa Fe, Olathe, KS 66061.

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