Bates City BBQ

09/25/2026

The Next Generation — Heather

Many who have been around for a long time and know the family story may recognize the next person being shared.

The next generation begins with Heather, Julie’s daughter.

Heather took a different direction in life, but the BBQ was still a part of her story. She spent about four years working at the BBQ as a teenager, from the age of 12 to 16.

Even at a young age, Heather seemed to know that her future would eventually take her in a different direction. Money was always her forte, and she had a natural interest in numbers and finance.

After leaving the BBQ, Heather went on to work at Walmart for four years in the jewelry department — another area that fit her well, as she has always had a love for jewelry.

Heather graduated from Blue Springs High School with an amazing ACT score, earning her a half-ride scholarship to Park University, where she studied accounting.

While attending college, she also worked for two years as a bank teller, gaining experience in the financial world while continuing her education.

Academically, Heather always set the bar high for herself. A 4.0 was what she expected of herself, and she consistently worked to achieve it.

She went on to earn her master’s degree and become a CPA, eventually working her way into a CFO position.

While Heather’s career took her in a different direction from the family business, one thing has remained very much a part of her — her work ethic.

She follows in Grandpa Frank’s footsteps in that way. Working hard, setting high expectations, and continually pushing herself forward have always been important to Heather.

Heather met an amazing guy through church, Michael, and the two were married in July of 2010.

Michael was part of a Christian band and also had a strong business side. He went on to earn his master’s degree in business administration and logistics from Park University. Like Heather, he has always been someone who works hard, and that hard work eventually led him to a CEO position.

Together, Heather and Michael have built an incredible life.

Two incredibly smart and hardworking people, they welcomed the sweetest little girl into our family in 2021 — Maple JoAnne.

Our grandparents would be so proud of where Heather’s story has taken her. Not only because of all she has accomplished, but because of the way she has continued to hold onto her faith throughout her journey.

They would be proud of the life Heather and Michael have built for Maple and the love, faith and values they are passing on to her.

Heather and Michael have moved several times over the years because of their careers, so we don’t get to see them as often as we’d like.

But our family is small, and we’re close.

When we do all get together, those times are special. We usually find a way to spend the holidays together, and those family gatherings mean a lot to us.

Our grandparents always reminded us how important family time was.

And even as life takes each of us in different directions, that is something our family has tried to hold onto.

Heather’s story may look different from the BBQ story, but she is still an important part of the next generation of our family — and of the story that began with Grandpa Frank in 1976.

09/16/2026

The year 2010 would begin a new decade in Julie’s life—a decade centered around caring for the people she loved most, while still working some at the BBQ and being Mema to Logan.

In 2010, Janice moved in with Julie and Duane. Julie once again found herself stepping into the role of caregiver for her mom, something that seemed to come naturally to her.

Then, in 2012, Julie’s daughter Holly, her husband Ryan, and their son Logan moved into the home for about 10 months while they built their new house. Once again, Julie opened her home and made room for the people she loved.

In 2013, Holly and Ryan welcomed a sweet baby boy into the world. He was born with a brain bleed, bringing months of challenges, uncertainty, and worry for the entire family. Once again, Julie was right there to help and support her family through a very difficult season.

These years brought plenty of change and challenges, but caring for her family was something Julie had always been passionate about. She continued to work some at the BBQ while being Mema to Logan and helping wherever she was needed at home.

In 2015, just shortly after Duane retired and was looking forward to the next chapter of his life—one filled with travel, relaxation, and enjoying more time together—life took an unexpected turn. Duane was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which was attributed to his exposure to Agent Orange while serving as a Marine in the Vietnam War.

At that point, Julie had to completely step away from the BBQ to focus on caring for both her mom and her husband. It was an incredible balancing act, but caring for the people she loved was something Julie had always been good at—and something she was deeply passionate about.

Duane underwent a very risky and intense bone marrow transplant in hopes of beating the cancer. He spent months on life support and faced an incredibly difficult road, but he fought his way through it. After several months at KU, he was finally able to return home in the spring of 2015. That summer Julie’s other daughter Heather and her husband Michael moved in with Julie and Duane while they were building their home…this was also helpful because Duane was just coming home and would need the extra support.

Later that same year, on December 13, Julie lost her mom, Janice. This was an especially difficult loss for Julie. As the only daughter, she and her mom had shared such a close bond, and Julie had spent years caring for her. Losing her mom was the end of a very important chapter in her life.

The years that followed continued to bring challenges for Julie and Duane. Although Duane had made it through his cancer, the toll it had taken on his body was significant. He was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and eventually required dialysis for the rest of his life.

Julie remained committed to taking care of him. As his needs became greater, she knew their home was no longer the safest place for him, especially with the stairs. Around 2018, Julie made the difficult decision to sell her home and move them into a villa where it would be safer and easier for Duane to get around.

Then, in the spring of 2020, Julie faced another heartbreaking loss when Duane passed away.

Duane had been her husband, her partner, and her best friend. In just a few years, Julie had lost both her mom and her husband—the two people she had spent so much of her life caring for. It was an incredibly difficult season, but Julie continued moving forward, just as she always had.

Then, in 2021, Julie became a Mema once again—this time to her first granddaughter, Maple JoAnne. After so many years of caring for the people she loved, this brought a whole new kind of joy into her life and another sweet little one to love.

And now, here we are in 2026.

Julie is retired, a grandmother to two grandsons and a granddaughter, and still very much Julie. She still loves being in the kitchen and, like most Atwoods, she doesn’t sit still for very long. You might find her wandering around shopping every once in a while—or popping into the BBQ to grab something to eat or bring in something delicious.

Through every chapter of her life, Julie has been there for the people around her. She has been a daughter, sister, wife, mom, Mema, friend, employee, and caregiver. She has spent much of her life taking care of others, opening her home, helping her family, and showing up whenever she was needed.

Julie is, and always will be, an important part of our family story.

And around here, we have a special name for her:

The Caretaker of our family.

09/08/2026

Before we continue with the next chapter of Julie’s story, let’s all take a moment to wish her a very Happy Birthday!

As the 2000s began, Julie was rebuilding her life with her girls. She was working long hours at the BBQ and pouring her heart into raising Heather and Holly as they entered their teenage years. Life was busy, and her focus was on family.

Then, when she least expected it, everything changed.

A familiar customer at the BBQ finally worked up the courage to ask Julie out. His name was Duane, and he and his family had been regular customers for years. What started as a simple date soon blossomed into a wonderful relationship.

It was an exciting new chapter for Julie. Her daughters were getting older, and she was ready to settle down again. In 2002, Julie and Duane were married, beginning the next chapter of their lives together.

Duane brought three children into the family—two daughters, Amber and Tanya, and a son. In a fun twist of fate, both Amber and Tanya had also worked at the BBQ as teenagers.

Throughout the 2000s, Julie continued working at the BBQ while Duane worked as a mechanic for UPS. On the weekends, they loved spending time at the lake, whether it was out on the boat or camping. Camping and lake life had always been something Duane enjoyed, and before long, Julie also grew to love those weekends too. Together, they made countless memories enjoying the outdoors and simply spending time as a family.

As Heather and Holly grew older, they followed in their mom’s footsteps by getting their first jobs at the BBQ. Before long, they were grown and beginning lives of their own.

Duane quickly became part of the BBQ family as well. On weekends, he loved stopping by the restaurant to help Julie with whatever needed to be done, especially in the mornings before things got busy. Whether it was lending a hand with small projects or helping wherever he was needed, he was always happy to pitch in.

Another exciting chapter began in 2008 when Julie became “Mema” for the very first time with the birth of her grandson, Logan. This brought a whole new kind of joy to her life. It was an exciting season, not only for Julie, but for the entire family.

The year 2010 was an especially busy one for the family. Julie proudly watched both of her daughters get married—Holly in May and Heather in July. It was a year filled with celebrations, milestones, and new beginnings.

Around that same time, as Janice entered her 80s, her health began to decline, and it became clear she needed more help. Without hesitation, Julie and Duane opened their home, welcoming Janice to live with them so they could care for her and make sure she was surrounded by family.

Little did Julie know, this would begin the next chapter of her life—the one she seemed to have been called to all along. Caring for others had always come naturally to her, and now she would fully embrace the role of caregiver.

09/03/2026

Julie has always had a passion for helping people, so nursing was a path she seriously considered. She attended school for a couple of semesters and worked as a nurse’s aide at Indian Creek Nursing Home for four years, followed by four years at Truman Medical Center.

As fate would have it, Julie met her husband, Gary, because of a simple wrong-number phone call. They soon realized they lived just down the street from one another. Since Gary was losing his vision due to a genetic eye disease, the two would often walk to meet each other, and before long they were inseparable. They eventually married and, at the age of 25, welcomed their first daughter, Heather.

After Heather was born, Julie returned to work at the BBQ. Her dad, Frank, encouraged her to come back, reminding her that with her incredible work ethic and friendly personality, there was no better opportunity for her. The restaurant wasn’t just a job—it was home. Two years later, at age 27, Julie and Gary welcomed their second daughter, Holly.

Julie could always count on the support of her family, especially her brothers. After losing her dad, Frank, at just 29 years old, that support became even more important. Between her brother Mike and her mom, Janice, everyone pitched in to help care for Heather and Holly. Saturdays became Grandma Janice’s special days with the girls so Julie could work at the BBQ, and in the evenings a babysitter would come so Janice could head to the restaurant to join the crew. Running a family business took hard work and dedication, and everyone did their part. Sometimes that even meant Heather and Holly taking naps in a cardboard box at the restaurant while everyone worked. It wasn’t always glamorous, but it was filled with love, laughter, and family.

Julie worked tirelessly, not only at the restaurant but also helping with Gary’s cleaning business. Because Gary was legally blind, she assisted with driving, paying bills, and many of the day-to-day responsibilities of raising their girls. She also helped with cleaning jobs and somehow still managed to cook dinner for her family every night.

For many years, Julie was a constant presence at the BBQ and Mike’s right-hand person, always there whenever he needed her. Although her marriage lasted 10 years, she and Gary remained close friends and exceptional co-parents after their divorce, when Heather and Holly were around 8 and 9 years old. Julie carried much of the family’s day-to-day responsibilities because of Gary’s vision loss, but she never complained. Gary worked incredibly hard, and together they remained committed to raising their daughters.

When Julie wasn’t working, her family came first. She made it a priority to take her girls to church every Sunday, often attending with her mom, Janice. Mondays were usually reserved for mother-daughter time. In the 1990s, you could almost always find Julie and Janice enjoying lunch at Luby’s Cafeteria in Independence Center before spending the afternoon shopping at The Jones Store. Mondays became their special day together. If Janice wasn’t spending the day with Julie, chances were she was having lunch with Mike instead.

Many Monday evenings were spent with Julie’s lifelong friend, Debbie. Together with their children, they made years of memories meeting at Taco Via before heading to MaggieMoo’s in Overland Park for ice cream. Debbie’s passing in her 50s was a tremendous loss, but the memories of those Monday nights remained some of Julie’s favorites.

08/30/2026

Next, we’d like to introduce you to our sister, mom, aunt, and the daughter of Frank and Janice—Julie.

Julie was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but by the time she started school, the Atwood family had moved to Ulysses, Kansas, where she attended school through the third grade. That’s when the family relocated to Shawnee, where she would spend the rest of her school years.

Julie was the baby of the family. She was especially close to her parents, and she shared a special bond with her dad. As the only girl with two older brothers, she was teased quite a bit—but it was always in good fun.

Julie remembered waiting every day after school for Mike once he started kindergarten so they could listen to records together. John, being the oldest, loved to pick on his little sister when they were kids, but like most siblings, that teasing eventually grew into a lifelong bond.

John shared a couple of stories that perfectly captured their childhood. He said that he and Mike always made Julie sit in the middle of the back seat because they both wanted the window seats. He also remembered a day when Julie, wearing a dress, fell into a lake. Looking at her afterward, he couldn’t help but call her a “flamingo”—one of those classic big-brother moments that still makes us smile.

In high school, Julie was deeply involved in track, running an average of seven miles every day. While academics weren’t her favorite part of school, having a dad who was a teacher meant there was always encouragement and support. He spent countless evenings sitting with her, helping her with schoolwork and making sure she had every opportunity to succeed.

At the age of 16, Julie started working at the BBQ shortly after her dad, Frank, bought the restaurant. What began as a requirement for a high school marketing class soon became much more than just a school assignment. Working alongside her family, Julie quickly became an important part of the business, and the BBQ would remain a significant part of her life for years to come.

Julie graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School in 1977, ready to begin the next chapter of her life.

08/14/2026

We apologize for the little pause in sharing Mike’s story—summer has been a fun and busy one for our family! But we’re excited to jump back in because there’s still so much of his journey and our family’s legacy to share.

As we continue Mike’s story, we’re stepping into the 2000s—a decade filled with growth, change, challenges, and milestones.

One of the greatest blessings came in April 2001 with the birth of his son, Ben. In our small family, welcoming another little one was such an exciting addition. Around that same time, Mike achieved another dream by building the beautiful home he had worked so hard for in Blue Springs. He also got married and was blessed to gain two more children, Ali and Blake.

Even while working long hours at the restaurant, Mike made it a priority to be present whenever he could—cheering from the sidelines at ball games, making memories at home, and finding a better balance between work and family.

Like all of us, life brought a few bumps in the road. His marriage didn’t work out, but one of the greatest lessons Mike has always taught our family is this: keep going, keep working, and keep showing up—no matter what’s happening on the outside.

And that’s exactly what he did.

Now it’s 2026, and Mike is well into his 60s, yet he still shows up almost every day. At this point, he does it because he loves it. This place is his baby, and after 43 years, it’s simply part of who he is.

Along the way, Mike has mentored so many family members, offering guidance, encouragement, support, and a work ethic that continues to shape the next generation. We are incredibly thankful for everything he’s poured into this family and this business.

As the years have gone by, Mike’s family has continued to grow. He’s now a proud uncle to great-nephews and a great-niece, and these days, one of his greatest joys is spending time with his grandson, Kohen, who keeps him entertained whenever he’s not at the restaurant.

Next, we’ll share the story of Mike’s sister, Julie—her journey, her impact on the Que, and where life has taken her today. 💙

Our family’s 50-year story is still being written, and we’re so grateful you’re following along.

08/02/2026

For us, goodbyes are never easy—especially when it comes to our staff, because they’re family to us.

This week, we’re saying goodbye to our sweet Anna as she heads off to college. While we’re so excited for this next chapter and know she’s going to do amazing things, there’s no doubt she’ll be greatly missed around here.

Anna, thank you for your hard work, your kindness, and for being such a special part of our BBQ family. We can’t wait to see all that you accomplish, and we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.

Good luck, Anna! Once you’re part of the family, you’ll always have a home here at Bates City BBQ. ❤️

06/27/2026