Gary Michael Renek was born on February 10, 1935, in St. Paul, Minnesota to Jeanne Ressler and Robert Johnston. Mike was legally adopted in 1953 by Sam Renek. Mike served in the United States Air Force as a Basic Airman from 1953 to 1957 at Whiteman Force Base. Mike married Julia Anne Everett on August 9, 1957. They remained married until Julia’s death on August 2, 2014.
Mike graduated from High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended classes and earned the equivalent of an associate degree prior to working for Bayer Corporation in 1968 in supplies and transportation logistics until he retired in 1990. They moved to Harrisonville to fulfill the dream of having their own fishing lake and a few acres. Mike and Julie took a trip to South America and floated down the Amazon River as well as traveling to Alaska to explore the glaciers.
Mike was best known for his sense of humor and ability to entertain his friends and family. He and Julie loved to host events at their home and spend time with their special group of friends known originally as the “At the Crest” gang, becoming the “Over The Hill” gang.” Mike valued his friends and family very much and they were always the center of his life.
Hobbies and Personal Interests: Mike’s love for reading started at an early age with Shakespeare in third grade. Once he found an author he liked, he read every book written by him or her. He also enjoyed creative writing including poetry and short stories. His favorite hobby was fishing and he taught his children, their spouses and grandchildren how to fish. There was nothing that could stop him from fishing, including cancer.
Mike enjoyed watching sports and was an avid Chiefs fan. Sundays were football days and his daughters learned football at a young age. He spent many hours crafting his fantasy football league team and preparing for the annual draft.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Jeanne Renek, his father, Sam Renek, and his brother, Robert Johnston. Mike is survived by three children; Deborah A. Renek (Independence), Diana Renek-Hallerud (Kansas City), and Dawn J Renek (Harrisonville) and two son-in-laws; Reed Moorman (Independence) and Eric W. Hallerud (Kansas City). He has four grandchildren; Benjamin M. Warner (Sydney, Australia), J. Ryan Warner (Lincoln), Kiel C. Hallerud (Kearney) and Lauren C. Hallerud (Chicago). He is survived by three great-grandchildren: Faith A. Warner, Ethan R. Warner, Marissa I. Hallerud and preceded in death by Allison C. Hallerud on December 1, 2011.
Contributions may be made to Cass Regional Medical Center Foundation - Oncology, contributions may be mailed to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.
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