Michael Strauss

Mike passed at the age of 61 of a cardiac event in Breckenridge, Colorado, one of his favorite places to be. The Denver native graduated from the University of Colorado and worked in sports PR his entire career, including at Oklahoma State, Utah State, University of Kansas and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America in addition to the Lawrence Public Schools Foundation.

Mike had numerous accomplishments in his career, including publicity for Barry Sander's Heisman Trophy season in 1988, the Oklahoma State Final Four team in 1995, several Utah State trips to the NCAA Tournament, and the Kansas Jayhawks' Orange Bowl appearance in 2008. He also enjoyed working freelance sporting events, and was fortunate to work numerous Chiefs games, college basketball and football games, two Summer Olympics, and domestic pro beach volleyball tournaments across the country with his brother and sons.

He played basketball, football and baseball as a youth, and remained friends with many of his childhood teammates and classmates. Throughout his career he was not only a mentor to his colleagues but also a true friend. Known for his witty humor, positive attitude and caring nature, Mike brightened the lives of all who knew him. He loved playing golf (and even played Augusta the day after the 1995 Masters), watching sports, and above all spending time with family and friends.

He was married to Lisa for 35 years and is also survived by siblings Nancy (Glen) Sonnenfeld and Doug (Mimi), his sons Bradley (Madison) and Coulter (Alexandria), nephew Emmett Sonnenfeld, father-in-law Gus Brossett, and the newest joy of his life, his granddaughter Elliott.

A celebration of life will be held on June 27, 2026 at Eagle Bend Golf Course in Lawrence, Kansas from 4-6 pm. A second gathering in Colorado is being planned for July 1, 2026 with details to be confirmed. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Donate Life America (Mike was a recipient of a liver in 2001 and was a big advocate of organ and tissue donation), or a charity of your choice.