John "Mike" Michael Haskin

John Michael Haskin, 76, passed away on March 31, 2026, following a brief battle with esophageal cancer. Mike was born on September 25, 1949, and was raised in Olathe, Kansas, by his parents, Harley and Geraldine Haskin. He graduated from Olathe High School as the valedictorian of his class in 1967. He attended Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He graduated from there with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971. He enrolled in the Law School at the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and earned a Juris Doctorate in 1976. He then began practicing law with his father, Harley, in the Olathe law firm of Haskin, Hinkle, and Slater. When that law firm merged with a Kansas City firm, Mike left the practice and established his own law firm in Olathe. He practiced law for almost 50 years in Johnson County, retiring in 2022. During that time, he also served on the Olathe City Council for four years, and in 1993 was elected as the 45th Mayor of Olathe. During his term as Mayor, he oversaw the opening of the 119th Street and 151st Street interchanges with I-35, which were important in the growth of the city. He was considered a great influence in helping to attract new business to Olathe, including the new tech start-up company, Garmin.

Mike was a great supporter of all the area arts organizations. He served as a board member and later as President of the Olathe Civic Theatre Association and appeared on the stage there in many productions. He has been recognized as a member of the OCTA Hall of Fame. He also helped establish the Olathe Arts Alliance and the Olathe Youth Symphony. From 2004 to 2007, he served as Co-Chairman of the Olathe Sesquicentennial Committee which was organized to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Olathe in 1857. During 2007, the sesquicentennial year, his committee held a number of city-wide events which were attended by many residents. Mike was instrumental in raising the funds for the committee to commission a 150th anniversary sculpture of a life-sized stagecoach drawn by horses which is located at the Mahaffie House complex on the corner of Ridgeview and Kansas City Road. The sculptor was so grateful for Mike’s assistance that he created a bust of Mike which he placed as one of the passengers in the stagecoach.

Even though he grew up in Kansas, Mike was always fascinated by sailing and the sea. He purchased his first sailboat in 1977, and sailing immediately became an abiding passion in his life. He was a model railroader, and built a railroad replica of the City of Olathe, circa 1949, the year he was born. Mike has also been an avid sports fan of the Kansas City Royals, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Kansas University football and basketball teams.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Harley and Geraldine Haskin, and his brother, Mark Haskin. He is survived by his beloved wife, Pamela Lutz Haskin, her two children, Karla (Todd) Jensen and Eric (Michael Germeister) Manis, her two grandchildren, Eli and Chelsea Jensen, his sister, Patricia Scarbrough, and nieces and nephews.

Mike was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Olathe for over sixty years, where he enjoyed singing with the Celebration Choir. Visitation will be held at that church on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 1:00, with a memorial service to celebrate Mike’s life beginning at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Center of Grace in Olathe or to Harvesters of Kansas City.

Mike always believed that everyone should enjoy life, love deeply, and always be able to laugh, and he did all of those things until the end. His legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

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