MICHAEL LEROY STORM
February 8, 1943 – February 24, 2020
Michael Leroy Storm, after a valiant fight with complications from heart disease, was joyously
welcomed into the presence of the Lord, Monday, February 24, 2020.
Mike was born in Jefferson City, Missouri to Albert Leroy Storm and Dorothy Rae Gavin Storm
February 8, 1943, the first of their three children. Growing up in Joplin, Missouri, Mike's
indomitable spirit to compete well in any arena of endeavor was cultivated on the sports fields
and school gyms in his beloved hometown. In high school, he played football for the Joplin
Eagles and boxed in Golden Gloves local and state-level competition.
Mike was a 1961 graduate of Joplin High School, and after graduation enlisted in the armed
forces. A Vietnam-era veteran, he served his country proudly in the United States Air Force from
1962-1966, deployed to a U.S. base in South Korea and then to McGuire Air Force Base in New
Jersey, flying cargo and U.S. embassy runs all over the world.
While in the Air Force, Mike met and married the love of his life and wife of fifty-five years,
Deanna Durbin Storm. After living in both the Detroit and Dallas areas at different points in his
career, as well as Brampton, Ontario, and San Antonio, Texas, Mike and Deanna retired to
Aubrey, Texas where they became members of Fellowship Church and pursued lifelong
passions for landscaping, gardening and antiquing - and enjoying time with their family.
Mike was a devoted father to daughter Tammy Lynn Storm Ross, Aubrey, Texas, and son
Michael Gavin Storm, who preceded his father in death. He also was proud 'Grandad' to four
grandchildren: Michael Brandon Walker (Caitlyn), Zachary Ross (Angela), Cheyenne Ross and
Maryssa Storm; and five great-grandchildren, Lily, Olivia, Ethan, Benjamin and Matthew.
Mike is survived by two sisters, Marcy Carter (Jim), Forest, Virginia and Patricia Storm Broyles,
Knoxville, Tennessee. He is also survived by mother-in-law Helen Reedy, Aubrey, Texas,

brother-in-law Kenny Reedy (Nancy) Harbor Springs, Michigan, sister-in-law Deborah Reedy-
Meads (Ed), Jackson, Michigan and "honorary brother-in-law" Ed Ralph Reedy, Newnan,

Georgia, as well as many cousins and their spouses, nieces and nephews and their spouses,
and great nieces and nephews.
As a 1969 graduate of the School of Business of Missouri Southern State College (now
University), Mike was a member of the first four-year class of the college. He earned his
Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management and became an ardent supporter of his
alma mater. He was honored in October of 1989 as MSSC Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
and was a member of the Loyal Lions, a giving society for the college.
Mike was admired for his friendly, positive outlook, and native intelligence, and was well-known
and loved for his razor-sharp, rapid-fire wit. His drive to succeed in business was fueled by a
relentless dedication to hard work and pursuit of excellence. After graduation from MSSC, he
was recruited by Ford Motor Company for the Marketing Division and career advancements
came at a steady pace.

In 1974, he was awarded Ford's Management Excellence Award, receiving his management
excellence ring from the legendary Lee Iacocca. In the same year, Mike was recruited by
American Motor Company (AMC) for the role of Sales Promotion Manager, Kansas City
Division. He was promoted consistently over the next decade in a series of sales and marketing
management roles in Dallas, Texas and then Detroit, Michigan. In 1986, he was promoted to
National Director for Sales Operations, AMC Canada, the second highest corporate position in
Canada for AMC, in charge of all Canadian sales efforts. He joined Chrysler Canada in 1987
after its acquisition of AMC and was named General Marketing Manager of Jeep/Eagle Division,
garnering historically record-breaking Jeep sales. In1988, he was appointed General Marketing
Manager for Chrysler/Plymouth/ Dodge Division.
In progressively responsible executive roles, Mike was always energized by the challenges of
market development, sales training, and rolling out innovative national advertising programs and
campaigns while supervising the work of several global advertising agencies and commercial
production companies. Mike, with Deanna at his side, was completely at home in his role of
'official host' for premier sales incentive trips for Canadian automotive dealers and their wives –
ranging from private stays in Scottish castles, to a trip on the Orient Express, complete with a
staged Agatha Christie-type "murder" to sheep ranches in New Zealand.
When he returned to the states, he resumed corporate marketing management roles for
Chrysler in Detroit, where he was part of Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca's monthly senior
management meetings. After taking early retirement in the automotive industry, Mike entered
Chapter Two of his career as he took his automotive marketing expertise to the advertising
agency side of the business as senior account executive for BBDO in Dallas - before then
embarking on a second retirement.
Of all his chapters, however, Chapter Three would become the most meaningful leg of Mike's
journey. Mike joined a senior executive program in the Dallas area to mentor first offense felons
to keep them from returning to jail. His innate leadership strengths as a motivator, coach and
team builder- which served him so well in career advancement – served these disadvantaged
young men in an even greater purpose. Mr. Storm, as they called him, was one of the most
successful mentors in the program. His secret was no different than when interviewing a hungry
young automotive salesman.
He said, "I simply asked them one question, what makes you happy?" They typically replied,
"No one has ever asked me that question before." Ever the mentor, Mr. Storm said, "Well, if we
can figure out what makes you happy, we can figure out how to keep you from going back to
prison." He encouraged, motivated, trained, inspired, made them accountable and expected
nothing short hard work and dedication every day. Letter upon letter of thanks confirms his
formula for achievement worked. He eventually became a parole officer of the court with the
county and reflected that the entire fifteen years' experience was the most important work of his
life. He finally retired at age 75. At a time when many businessmen of his era may choose to
golf, fish or travel, Mike was still in business – translating everything he had learned in the
corporate world to the business of transforming lives. His great heart given to those who needed
it most.

Mike maintained membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Earl J. Bruton Post. He will be
missed by many in the Joplin community, including the members of Joplin Elk Lodge #501.
Mike was a fiercely loyal friend and counted among his closest brothers the self-proclaimed
'Four Musketeers': Bernie Johnson, professor at MSSU and former Missouri Rep. Chuck
Surface, who both preceded Mike in death; and Former Missouri Speaker of the House and
Former Senate President Pro Tem, Ron Richard.
The family requests any donations in his honor be made to Missouri Southern Foundation online
at giving@mssu.edu, calling 417.625.3104 or mailing a check to Missouri Southern Foundation
Hearnes Hall 3950 E. Newman Rd. Joplin, MO. 64801.
Celebration of Life service with military honors will be held at a later date to be announced.