Michael Aaron Rich was born August 16, 2000 at KU Medical Center to Jeanette Herron and Robert Rich. He attended Northeast High School.

Michael was an avid fisherman. He was always on the water, and he won many awards throughout his life – he had the magic charm with fish.

He was always wanting to try new things, venturing into skateboarding and drawing. He went to Wyoming and climbed a mountain and fished from a canoe. He also went to London and saw the aura lights and beautiful castles.

Michael loved animals and making things grow. Michael always thought outside the box, that is what made him unique. He was one of those people you met once in a life time. Michael was into helping others. He would help serve the homeless on Sundays at the park.

Everyone loved him, he was a friend to many. His smile was contagious. He would light up the room any time he would walk in. Most people knew him from Family Dollar on Independence Ave.

Michael never met a stranger he didn’t like. His heart was kind, he was real – what you saw is what you got.

Michael is survived by his mother Jeanette Herron, father Robert Rich, stepdad Robert Anderson, brother Matthew Rich, and sister Madison Hicks.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother Ruth Herron.

He will be missed by so many family and friends.

Visitation will be July 17 from 10-11 and funeral will follow from 11-12 at Ely and Son Funeral Chapel, 4707 East Truman Rd. Graveside services be held at Elmwood Cemetery, 4900 E. Truman Rd.

National suicide prevention lifeline 1-800-273-8255. Help is available.

Editor’s Note: Michael was one of the teenagers who saved motorists during a flash flood in Northeast in August 2016. Read more: http://northeastnews.net/pages/ne-teens-play-heroes-during-flash-flooding/.

Michael’s family is in need of help covering nearly $8,000 in funeral costs. Friends who started a fundraising campaign ask those wishing to donate to send money directly to his mother via Venmo (@Jeanette-Herron-47) or CashApp (JeanetteH47).