Frederick "Mike" Harris III

Frederick Milo (Mike) Harris III, 86, of Overland Park, Kansas peacefully passed away on the morning of December 1, 2025 at Delmar Gardens Lenexa after a short battle with cancer.

Mike was born on July 5, 1939 in Chanute, Kansas to Josephine and Frederick M. Harris Jr, their first of four children. He graduated from Chanute High School in 1957. Shortly after graduation, Mike began college at The University of Kansas, where his passion for KU, their athletic programs (okay, men's basketball) and the art of journalism, after encouragement from his father, began.

The son of a journalist, a career in the field seemed likely. Mike’s father, Frederick, served as publisher of the Chanute Tribune for much of Mike’s childhood and adult life. Upon graduation from KU, and finding that passion that his dad was certain he would, Mike began his career in 1961 with the Salina Journal before returning to the town he loved wholeheartedly. Mike was appointed general manager of the Tribune in 1973, with his dad transitioning to the role of President. In 1979, Mike succeeded his father as President and publisher of the Chanute Tribune, a position he held until 1990. The seventeen years Mike served the community of Chanute as the leader of the Tribune were the highlight of his storied career and moreso, his life. In 1994, Mike moved to the Kansas City area to be closer to, in his own words, the “greatest accomplishments in (his) life.” Those accomplishments being his three daughters. Pamela, born in 1965, Betsy in 1968 and Molly, born in 1973. His girls were his pride and joy, constant source of support and the three people he loved most.

Mike lived a long, full life. He was a proud member of the Kansas Press Association, serving as president from 1983-1984, an active member of the Army Reserves, a dedicated, third generation alumnus of Phi Kappa Psi, and could always be found either on, or planning his next trip to the golf course. He spent the majority of his retirement walking, sometimes driving, those eighteen holes. Towards the end of his life, Mike’s mobility became extremely limited and his ability to golf declined. We can only hope that he has already found a new favorite golf course, with the best view of them all.

Mike is survived by two of his daughters: Betsy (Dave) Heitman, of Stilwell, Kansas and Molly (Jeff) Laughlin, of Overland Park, Kansas; all three of his siblings: Nancy Chandler, of Salina, Kansas, Cindy (Todd) Hillman, of Lenexa, Kansas and David (Susie) Harris, of Overland Park, Kansas; and all six of his grandchildren: Dylan Schneider, Henry Heitman, Ann Heitman, Addie Jo Schneider, Adam Laughlin, who is continuing the Phi Kappa Psi legacy as a fourth generation member, and Andy Laughlin. Mike is also survived by the mother of his children and first wife, Sandy Emery, his second wife, Linda Malson and son-in-law, Doug Schneider. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Josephine Harris, his eldest daughter, Pamela Schneider and brother-in-law Ron Chandler.

If you knew Mike, you knew he loved big. Whether it was writing, talking about his daughters, visiting with his grandchildren, discussing the Jayhawks, or golfing, probably more so than the rest, though he’d never admit it. We will miss getting the happy birthday phone call the night before (never failed,) the trips to Winsteads and every moment in between.

He ended every phone call with “well sit back and take life easy.” It’s your turn now. We love you so much.

A short memorial service will be held at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home (14275 S. Black Bob Road Olathe, KS 66062) on Friday, December 26 at 1:30pm, followed by the placement of his urn at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (13901 Black Bob Road Olathe, KS 66062.) A live stream link will be posted on the Penwell Gabel website the day of the services. For those unable to make it but would like to pay their respects later, Mike will be memorialized at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Olathe, near his daughter Pam, and at Memorial Park Cemetery in Chanute, next to his parents.