Michael Anthony Potchad

Michael Anthony Potchad, of Overland Park, KS, 75, passed away on February 24 from complications from cancer. Mike was born in Kansas City, MO, on August 11th, 1948, the only child to Eve and Frank Potchad.

Mike graduated in 1966 from Turner High School, Kansas City, KS, where he participated in wrestling and football. After high school, he attended Pittsburg State University, where he was a standout offensive and defensive lineman football player. His first year at Pittsburg, he was a 2nd-team all-conference player. In 1969 and 1970, he received 1st-team all-conference player honors. Also, in 1970, he was elected 1st team All-American, Kodak All-American, and Football Roundup's National Small College Player of the Year at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Mike was selected 85th overall in the 1971 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He was also elected to the Pittsburg State Hall of Fame in 1994.

While attending PSU, he met the love of his life, Charlene (Conell) "Charlie,” during their junior year at a college dance. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1970 and received a Master’s Degree in Physiology of Exercise in 1976.

He then poured his time into his passion for coaching and mentoring students at the college, high school, and junior high levels. He taught and coached at The Lovett School and Cobb County Schools in Atlanta, Georgia, and at Northwestern Oklahoma University. He spent the majority of his career in the Olathe, Kansas School District. He also coached many of his two son’s sports teams.

He had a love of cooking and was the primary cook of the household, and always had an open seat at the table for any friends. He would try different recipes and was known for his cinnamon rolls and delivering them to neighbors and friends on Christmas morning.

He enjoyed spending time with family and friends at one of his favorite places, Holiday Island at Table Rock Lake and nearby Eureka Springs, Arkansas, visiting the many shops and watching the parades. He loved spending time on the water boating, tubing, enjoying the outdoors, and annual neighborhood snow skiing trips to Colorado. When the weather was nice, riding his Harley Davidson was a favorite pastime.

He is survived by his wife Charlie of 52 years, sons Michael (Camille) Leawood, Kansas, and Matthew (Melissa) Overland Park, Kansas, and four grandchildren (Kate, Anna, Charlotte, and Travis), who he so enjoyed spending time with at the lake, going to their games, and could always be heard coaching from the stands.

He had a larger-than-life personality and stature. He always stood out in any room. He fought many health issues for many years and was such a fighter. Thanks to all the doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and family friends for being there for him over the years.

Mike did not want a formal funeral and instead wanted a fun gathering of family and friends. An open house will be held at their home,11412 W. 105th Terrace, Overland Park, Kansas, 66214, on Sunday, March 3, from 1-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in Mike's name.