Michael Dennis McDermott

Michael Dennis McDermott, 72, of Augusta, KS, passed away Friday, December 7, 2018 in Wichita. Memorial service 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at Augusta United Methodist Church, Augusta, KS. Michael was born in Kansas City, Kansas on April 3, 1946, to the late Lorene (Strandt) and Bernard Gail McDermott. He grew up in the 1950's and 1960's. Michael attended Park Elementary School, Central Junior High, and graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1964, a "Dotte".  He then attended Kansas City Junior College, where he met his wife, Lynda, and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1968 from Kansas State University, Manhattan. Following graduation, Mike worked 45 years in small town journalism in Nevada, MO, Atchison, KS, and Augusta, KS, as photographer, reporter, and editor. During his career, Mike saw the transition of journalism from hot type to offset printing. He also witnessed family operated local newspapers acquired by small chains started in other states. At one time the Atchison Daily Globe and Augusta Gazette were in the same chain. He was named to Outstanding Young Men Of America 1972 while working in Atchison. Michael was a member of Augusta United Methodist Church, Nevada Optimists, Atchison Jaycees, Augusta Lions, National Press Photographers. After retirement, he was a volunteer for the Butler County Commodities RSVP  program and Meals On Wheels. He received first place recognition for his photos in high school, Atchison, and Augusta newspapers. Michael enjoyed family, photography, model railroading, and working in his yard. On September 9, 1967 he married Lynda  (Mahar) McDermott at the Grinter United Methodist Church in Kansas City, KS and she survives him. He is also survived by: daughters, Heather Bartlett and husband Allan of Marietta, GA; and Shannon Roberts and husband Dan of Augusta, KS; four grandchildren, Brayden and Emma Roberts, Sarah and Leah Bartlett. He was preceded in death by his parent and a brother, John McDermott. Memorial donations may be made to: Be The Match Foundation, 500 N 5th St. Minneapolis, MN 55401-1206; American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 1120 Pennsylvania Avenue,  Kansas City, MO 64105; or Augusta United Methodist Church - Nursery, 2420 N. Ohio, Augusta, Kansas 67010.