Michael Joseph Kopp

Michael Joseph Kopp, 72, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2017 at his home surrounded by family. Services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 18, at Antioch Community Church in the old auditorium with Pastor Jimmy Seibert officiating. The burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 17, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Mike was born in Worthington, Minnesota on April 10, 1944. He moved to Waco during his teenage years. In 1965, while attending Sam Houston State University, Mike met Kay Muckelroy, who still to this day, is the girl of his dreams. As he tells it, Mike noticed Kay skateboarding one afternoon and approached her in his convertible (and stellar good looks), asked if she believed in love at first sight and the rest is history! During their first of many happy years permanently residing in Waco, Mike was employed at Allied Tire Company, eventually becoming vice president. In 1998, he found his true calling of helping others by establishing the McLennan County Dispute Resolution Center as executive director until retiring in 2012. While he was an avid golfer and sports fanatic, Mike’s true passion in life was sharing the love of God. He touched everyone he met and shared his unconditional love for Christ, wholeheartedly, to anyone in need. Mike’s true mission in life was to build a home that truly served the Lord and his true success was raising his entire family in Christ, through his loving leadership. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Carlyle Joseph Kopp; mother, Ruth A. See; grandmother, Ruth See; and step-father, Lt. Col. A. E. Knock. Mike is survived by his wife, Kay Muckelroy Kopp; daughters, Jamie Owens and husband, Blake of Lewisville, TX, and Jerri Gonzalez and husband, Willie of Waco; brother, Jeff Knock and wife, Lisa of Richmond, VA; sisters, Jill Kelly of Woodway, and Amy Christie and husband, Corey of Waco; granddaughters, Jessica Brooks and husband, Adam of Shady Shores, TX, and Whitney Gonzalez of Dallas; grandsons, Zachary Gonzalez and wife, Haley of Waco, Garlin Gonzalez of Dallas, Greyson Gonzalez of Waco, and Grahm Gonzalez of Waco; great-grandchildren, Brody Gonzalez and Lincoln Brooks; nieces, Courtney Callaway and husband, DJ of Waco, Paige Kelly of Waco, McKenzie Kelly of Fayetteville, AR, and Alexandra Jarrell and husband, Logan of Winston-Salem, NC; and nephew, Cooper Christie of Dallas. Pallbearers will be Jeff Knock, Cooper Christie, Corey Christie, Willie Gonzalez, Blake Owens, Zachary Gonzalez, Garlin Gonzalez, Greyson Gonzalez and Grahm Gonzalez. In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The McLennan County Dispute Resolution Center, 900 Austin Ave., Suite 502, Waco, TX 76701 or Cure Progressive Supranuclear Palsy at curepsp.org. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.