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Mike Stanfield
Posted: 14 Mar 2014 11:38
by bonanzasteve
I just heard that Mike Stanfield, owner of Freedom Cycles and past Dakar Rally participant who has been a speaker at a couple of our TARKC meetings has died. There is no mention of how.
Re: Mike Stanfield
Posted: 14 Mar 2014 12:50
by troy
Danny Stevens Jr. wrote:Mike Stanfield, owner of Freedom Cycles in Grandview, as well as other power-sports businesses around the area passed away on March 7th in a scuba diving accident. Mike Stanfield had a direct affect on the motorcycle community in the KC Metro area for 40+ years. Mike's energy, efforts and passion helped shape our 2-wheel community in many ways over his many years as a power-sports dealer and lover of power-sports and all that it entailed. Mike Stanfield's legacy will continue as he family now runs the healthy and vibrant power-sports business he built and it will benefit us all in our futures. Please keep the Stanfield family in your thoughts at this difficult time and the next time you get on your bike for a ride, smile and thank Mike for his support of our motorcycle community over his lifetime.
Re: Mike Stanfield
Posted: 14 Mar 2014 22:10
by phil denk
This is so sad...Mike was a great guy. He was one of the most respected and admired riders of my generation. We can all take a lesson from Mike's dedication and commitment to the sport...he will truly be missed.
Re: Mike Stanfield
Posted: 16 Mar 2014 11:14
by bonanzasteve
Michael Lee Stanfield, 67, of Grandview, Mo., died Friday, March 7, in Bonaire, Netherlands Protectorate while scuba diving.
Michael was born Aug. 15, 1946, in Warrensburg, Mo., the son of Elbert Harvey E. H. and Eula Lee Peggy (Davidson) Stanfield. He grew up on a farm near Holden and attended Centerview Grade School. He graduated from Warrensburg High School. Michael graduated from University of Central Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. He was united in marriage to Jennifer Jones on Dec. 27, 1964, in Warrensburg. After graduating from college, he worked for Arthur Young & Co. CPA Firm. He also served with Metropolitan Community College.
Michael started a Husqvarna motorcycle business out of his garage in 1974. In 1976, he opened his first store in Warrensburg. He owned both Freedom Cycles and Warrensburg Cycles. He was involved in local and national motorcycle racing for four decades. He was a DAKAR rider (14 day, 5,000 mile off-road motorcycle rally through Argentina, Chile and Peru) in 2011 and 2012. He rode in the one week Ruta 40 Rally in 2013. In 2012, he founded Freedom Rally Racing. He was a member of the DAKAR Support Team in 2013 and 2014. Michael began scuba diving in 1997 and had completed more than 1,000 dives. Scuba diving was his second love to motorcycle riding. He also loved underwater photography. He had a passion for life. His switch was either on or off.
Survivors include his wife, Jennifer; two sons, James M. Stanfield and wife, Donna, of Grandview; and Jeffery L. Stanfield and wife, Amy, of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; brother, Marion H. Stanfield and wife, Charmian, of Freeport, Fla.; and four grandchildren, Matthew J. Stanfield, Madison E. Stanfield, Andrew K. Stanfield and Collin G. Stanfield. He was preceded in death by his parents.