Michael Thomas Sears was born on November 27, 1955 to Patrick and Mary Sears. He was a big brother to Stephen and Mary Kay Sears. Nephew of Margaret (the late Elmer) Varelia and Loretta (the late Tom) Sears. Michael was much loved and admired. He will be missed by family and friends, especially the baseball guys from college.
Michael graduated from Jennings High in 1974. He went to college at Northeast Missouri State University, graduating in 1978. He always wanted to be a teacher and taught 30 years in Industrial Arts. He coached baseball and football also.
His love of baseball lead him to the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 2016. He also was General Manager of the Jefferson County Blazers. Michael met alot of people through baseball and had most fun when he was either playing, coaching or just watching.
Michael always had fun with friends and always a smile on his face.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society, PO BOX 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.
Funeral Friday, March 28, 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 6020 Old Antonia Rd. (Imperial). Interment Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery. Visitation Thursday, March 27, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL
It’s a sad day. Mike and I were college teammates. No one loved and lived baseball more than Mike. He coached baseball in high school and then led the Jeffco Blazers for many years. He loved The Cardinals. The game has lost a dedicated ambassador.
I offer my condolences to Stephen and Mary.
RIP Mike. Even tho we only played one season together in 1975-76 at NMSU, we packed a lot of great memories into that season. You were one of a kind and an excellent 1st baseman! All our time off the field was what kept me at the school for that year. Charlie, Rich, You and me playing cards for countless hours. You guys are part of the reason I got to do what I did. I’m forever grateful. I’ll see you up there if I get in! BB
Dear Stephen and Mary Kay,
Your family and Michael were always very kind to me. Thinking of all of you during this difficult time.
Mike was our Sandlot Athletic Director, and now he is Heaven’s AD.
They are smiling and laughing now I’m sure. Fuzzball at 6.
The Kube family sends love and memories of Coach Sears, he meant alot to Tim and I during our high school years at Fox and seeing him leaning on the fences watching high school games. We enjoyed hanging with him at Seckman games last year while our son played and was really looking forward to seeing him this spring season. He was a very meaningful coach and person. We will miss him greatly!
great guy; he definitely left this world a better place. he will be missed.
I knew Mike through coaching Creve Coeur Legion Post 397 back in the 1980’s. Mike coached the Arnold Legion program and Mark Starr and I always had the utmost respect for Mike. We formed a friendship with him for life. Not a better person than Mike Sears. A gentle soul and always someone you felt good about having as a friend. RIP Michael. Thank you for many years of friendship.
Bob Bunton
On behalf of myself and the Greater St. Louis Association of Umpires we are saddened to hear of Mikes passing. I have known Mike from my playing and coaching days in the SLABA organization going back to the late 90’s. I got to know Mike more when discussing the GSLAU and umpires for the SLABA League. Mike was a great resource and advocate for our umpires. He was a true professional that loved baseball and high school athletics. He will be greatly missed but his legacy will live on!
My condolences for the family
Stephen and Mary Kate, Mike was a great teammate, roommate and friend that I met playing baseball at Truman State in 1975 and 1976. He always had a smile on his face and he and I had a great love for the St. Louis Cards and still do to this day.
We did not get to see much of one another over the years but we would stay in touch and I always enjoyed it when he would come to KC for a Chiefs game and we would talk about the old times at Truman playing baseball and running around. He will be missed and his impact on others was a blessing. Prayers to you all.
Mary Kay and Stephen, My thoughts and prayers go out to you at this sad time.
What a loss. Such a great human being. Love the time we spent talking You will be on my mind often and my heart always.
What a loss. You will be missed. Know you were loved.
What a loss. He will be missed. You will often be in my mind and always in my heart.
On behalf of former Arnold Legion players, we cannot thank Coach Sears enough for everything he did for us! Coach Sears always made sure we were playing top notch baseball and never let money stand in the way. I can only imagine the amount of money he paid out of his own pocket to make sure we could play summer baseball. We will never forget our annual summer trip to Nashville for the Twitty City tournament. We have stories that will last a lifetime!! Coach Sears was a great ambassador for baseball, especially Jefferson County baseball. The old Arnold Legion jersey is hanging proudly on display at Fox High! Coach Sears you will be missed!
Well said Joe. Amen to that.
So many great memories. Mike was a blessing to be around. Great teammate good friend, and unique individual. Very loyal baseball figure who did so much for the people in the baseball world. Lindbergh, Fox, and the Jefferson Blazers were a very big part of his life. My condolences to Mary and Steve. The guys at NE got to have a special bond with your big brother for the years there and beyond. He will be missed., but the memories of Michael will be retold for years to come. Trust that he was cherished
Mary and Steve, deepest condolences. Mike was such a good teammate and friend Guys at NE loved Mike. He was just a great guy to be around. There are so many memories of the young lad from Jennings We lost a dear friend and you lost your big brother, but we all benefitted from his presence. There were reasons he was a hall of fame. His loyalty and love of the game and family put him in our hearts forever
Mike was a valued Board Member of the Hall Of Fame. Always had a smile on his face, and contributed greatly to our meetings …His knowledge of Baseball was so apparent at every meeting..
Mike will be missed greatly for his contribution to the Board, but he will be missed mostly for the kind of Man he was…. Take Care and Rest in Peace..
Ron Edgar
As a fellow first baseman at NE Mike and I spent many hours talking and yes sometimes not paying attention during infield practice. Mike was an awesome teammate and a great friend. He obviously influenced many young men through his teaching and coaching.
He will be missed….
Mike was very important to the St. Louis amateur baseball Hall of Fame. He was a board member that made all the meetings. I enjoyed his knowledge and his sarcastic wit and he had this little grin on his face that I love to see. I will sadly miss him because he was such a nice guy and fun to be around.
Stephen and Mary Kay –
I am extremely grateful for the time that I spent with Coach Sears. He was my coach in baseball and football but most importantly, he was my friend. One of my favorite memories about Coach was just sitting around watching high school basketball games and talking together. This was years before I had the honor of calling him my Coach. I am deeply saddened by his passing. He will be truly missed but also remembered. My sincerest condolences to you both.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mike’s family. He was a tremendous positive influence in the St. Louis baseball community in so many ways. I am grateful for his dedication and passion which gave countless players and coaches a great experience. He will be missed.
What a loss for the community. Mike helped our youth baseball programs for over 40 years. Loved talking baseball with Mike. I will miss going to lunch with him, and talking about sports. Condolences to his family, and friends.
To Coach Sears family my condolences on the passing of Coach Sears. He was my freshmen football coach in 1979 at Lindbergh. Through the years if we saw each other we reminisced and talked about the present. He would always check on his former players. Coach was a good and fun person to be around. You Dryer and Muench I’m sure will be toasting a drink at Hesslers . RIP Coach.
Mike used to bring us scratch offs at our Christmas luncheon he always had a smile on his face he made us all laugh at the luncheons he will be missed being at our annual Christmas luncheon.
I always enjoyed my conversations with Mike. He has helped many kids in Jefferson County continue to play baseball. His love of the game allowed younger players to find their love of the game. He made an impact more than people can imagine. He will be missed.
Stephen and Mary Kay, my condolences. Being friends with Mike since our college days this will leave a big void, he will be greatly missed. I always enjoyed my many visits through the years, knowing I always had a place to stay at the Sears Estate when passing through or visiting. I probably wore out your sleeper sofa. I always enjoyed visiting with you and your folks also. Your mom’s cooking was exquisite. Our many years of going on baseball trips to see Major and Minor League ballparks will always be cherished and rest assured the many stories relating to Mike, sometimes rather hilarious, will always provide entertainment at any future endeavors or get togethers with his NE Missouri State friends. I’ll miss his visits over to KC to see a Royals or Chiefs game along with a Tim’s Pizza appearance and my trips over to see his beloved Cardinals play. I know he was always proud of his teaching, coaching and Athletic Director career, along with his involvement with the summer youth baseball teams over the years. That passion for career and youth baseball I know made him proud to be elected to the Greater St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. He was an excellent first baseman in college, caught everything I threw over there from third (except one, wasn’t quite tall enough for that one, lol). He will always be a great Hall of Famer, a great friend, and was a fine fine individual. Rest In Peace Michael you will be missed!!
Stephen and Mary Kay,
I was one of those teammates at Northeast MO and enjoyed having Mike on the team. Great guy, great teammate and fun to have around. Enjoyed seeing him a couple years ago when he, Rich Holmes and Terry Lunsford surprised me one day by stopping by where I worked and we went to lunch. Great to see the “old” teammates honoring him on here, too! He will be always a part of the Northeast Missouri State Bulldogs!
Mike was a man of strong character, committed to the task, loyal and a true friend to all. I had the privilege of coaching HS baseball & football with Mike for 15 years. I also helped him coach in Legion ball for 6 summers. We had a blast!
Mike loved playing, teaching, coaching & watching baseball. He once told me that the practices were more fun than the games.. Mike had great knowledge & respect for the game & his players. Because of that knowledge & respect (along with his coal black hair) some of his players nicknamed him “The Black Rat.” He loved it.
Mike loved his family. He loved going to church. He loved his community, players, co-workers and friends.
I’m for ever grateful for being able to call him friend for 43years. RIP Coach Sears.
Stephen and Mary Kay,
Mike was a great competitor, but an even better man. I am fortunate to have met him over 20 years ago and was able to call him a friend. I enjoyed all the years I spent with him on the SLABA Board, at ballgames, talking trivia, at our Syberg’s lunch meetings, working the SLABA All-Star Games, the coaches meetings & MVP banquets. He will be greatly missed. As Chad Fix said, Mike did more for SLABA than anyone can imagine in the 38 years since he and a few others founded the organization. I’m blessed to have received the SLABA Muskopf-Sears Distinguished Service Award named in his honor. That is really special to me. I’m praying for you and his many, many friends in this unexpected time of grief & sorrow. Romans 10:13
To the Family
Grew up playing Little League with Mike and his Dad as our Manager. Mike showed early Leadership skills as our left handed first baseman. He carried those phenomenal skills throughout his life.
Mike was never my coach, just a friend. He was great at that too! Can’t tell you how much he will be missed.
To the Family,
Mike was a special friend and the memories we made will forever hold a special place in my heart. As a college teammate, you couldn’t ask for a better person to be around at practice, road trips and games. He was a great first baseman and caught anything thrown at him.
Our time away from baseball was always entertaining. From dorm life to just hanging out. Oh the memories!
RIP “Fred” love ya!
I’ve known Mike since our Jennings days when he umpired my Little League games. Later in life we crossed paths again when he taught my son in Industrial Arts class at Fox High School, where he became the Athletic Director before retiring. A great guy who will be missed by many. Deepest condolences to the Sears family.
Steve & Mary Kay – We know how much you will miss Mike because we will miss him as much. He was a great guy, loved by all. He was a great friend who would do anything for you, without asking for anything in return. We have many great memories of all the trips, cruises, Cardinal baseball games, Hodak’s, Biggies, the list could go on forever. Too bad he couldn’t. Happy Opening Day Mike. ⚾
Mike was part of our Monday night Football group. I always looked forward to chatting it up with him. Just a real good guy! He will be missed… 🙏
As young boys, me and my brothers, Dan and Tim, spent many days with Mike and Steven playing every kind of game that could be played in Shiloh (now Koeneman) Park in Jennings, but mostly it was fuzzball in summertime. Mike was always a leader type, and he loved sports. He knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life very early on, and he did it. The large number of posts on this site are a testament to Mike’s outgoing personality and he will surely be missed by many. Our sincere condolences to Steven and Mary Kay. Rest in peace Mike.
As young boys, me and my brothers, Dan and Tim, spent many days with Mike and Steven playing every kind of game that could be played in Shiloh (now Koeneman) Park in Jennings, but mostly it was fuzzball in summertime. Mike was always a leader type, and he loved sports. He knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life very early on, and he did it. The large number of posts on this site are a testament to Mike’s outgoing personality and he will surely be missed by many. Our sincere condolences to Steven and Mary Kay. Rest in peace Mike.
Kevin and Donna Higgins
27 Mar 2025
Donna and I will miss Mike very much! I met Mike when he and Steve Muench coached freshmen football for Lindbergh High school. As much as Mike loved baseball he enjoyed most sports . I will always enjoy thinking back to Francis Park football and Sperring middle school basketball. We both loved Mike!
Kevin and Donna Higgins
Mar 28 12:16
I met Mike a long time ago when he was first starting teaching. Mike was also coaching freshman football at Lindbergh. We met through a mutual friend Steve Muench. I never got to see him play but you can tell his teammates loved him. We had a lot of fun playing football at Francis Park or basketball at Sperring Middle School. Mike was a joy to be around and his brother and sister can forever be proud! Donna and I both loved him!
Stephen and Mary Kay,
As a college teammate of Mike’s for three years I echo everything his baseball friends have shared about him. Although our paths didn’t cross after college the common experience we had together still makes me smile. He was one of the good guys. I am sorry for your loss.
What can you say about Mike, that hasn’t been posted already?
He loved baseball, but more than that. His interest in his students for over 30 years says so much more. His dedication to those in their formidable youth will last for generations. I met Mike on a baseball field years ago, and every time since, he would make sure to say hello. I was so honored when he invited me to attend the SLABA end of the year banquet. Always approachable, with a smile on his face. My sympathies to his family. He will be missed, but not forgotten. John 3:16