John Michael Ducey

Mike Ducey of Lawrence passed away on June 27, 2017 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital after a long battle with cancer. He was born December 4th, 1937, the son of Jean Sparks Ducey and John Edward Ducey. After growing up in Niles, Michigan and on the original homestead of his mother’s family in Berrien County, Michigan, he graduated from Maryville College (Tennessee) and Princeton Theological Seminary. He served as Pastor of the Freeman Presbyterian Church in Freeman, Missouri, and as Associate Pastor of Southridge Presbyterian Church in Roeland Park, Kansas. Seeking a deeper understanding of man’s relationship to man, the world, and the divine, he pursued graduate studies at the University of Kansas, where he received an M.A. with Honors in Religion and an M.A. and M.Phil. in Philosophy. He served as Assistant Director and Instructor in the Western Civilization program at K.U., and taught courses in the Philosophy department. Later, his career interests took a decided turn toward solving problems of more immediate practical consequence: he worked as a building engineer and as a heating and air conditioning technician, retiring in 2000. Mike had an enduring interest in the environment, and was an avid backpacker, canoeist, photographer, and woodworker. His quiet commitment to service and social justice led him to a series of volunteer and leadership activities in the community. He was preceded in death by his parents and his aunt Edith L. McCoy. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Constance Bondurant Ducey, of Lawrence; by his brother Jay Patrick Ducey (Mary Gay) of Berkeley, California; his daughter, Michelle Growcock (Bradley) of Baldwin City, Kansas; his son, Mark Ducey (Kathleen O’Brien) of South Berwick, Maine; by four grandchildren, Nathan Growcock (Kayle), Benjamin Growcock, Carter Ducey, and Eva Ducey; one greatgrandchild, Adalynn Growcock; and cousin Cathy McCoy (Peter Logan) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A visitation will be held in the Fellowship Hall at West Side Presbyterian Church, 10th and Kasold, in Lawrence at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 1. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 in the church sanctuary. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, donations may be made in his name to West Side Presbyterian Church in support of its mission to the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen. Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries. LJWorld.com.