Michael L. Going

Michael L. Going, 78, of Tarpon Springs, Florida, passed away on August 27th, 2025. He and his wife, Dawn Renee, had been married for 49 years (their 50th would have been in December). Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Pauline Going. He is survived by his wife; sons Nathan Going and Noah (Ally) Going; as well as granddaughters KG (Katherine), Savannah, Charlotte, Rowan, and Murphy Going.
Mike grew up in Winston-Salem, NC. Right after high school graduation, he enlisted and joined the Navy band. He spent eights year in the Navy and proudly earned the Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal for service in Vietnam. Stationed at Yokosuka Navy Base in Japan in 1973, he decided to leave the military and attend Sophia University International College in Tokyo. His first semester, he met the love of his life, Renee. They made a trip to Bloomfield, Indiana, and were married in the Sylvania Church that his wife had attended as a child. An only child, he realized quickly that he was plunging headfirst into the affectionate chaos and sometimes over-the-top teasing that was her large family. And he learned to love it.
Following college graduation in Tokyo, they decided to go back to the US, not the shorter way across the Pacific but the longer way, with backpacks, through southeast Asia and the Kyber Pass, the Middle East, and Europe., After the trip, Mike and his wife were both commissioned in the U.S. Air Force. They applied for and attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey CA, earning Master's degrees in National Security Affairs and became Japan Area Specialists. When Mike retired from the military, he and Renee, with their two sons in tow, started careers as DoD teachers and taught in Belgium, Germany, Italy and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. During those year, summers were always spent in Tarpon Springs with family. Those years were full of big family dinners and celebrations with Renee's family at the Livery Stable.
Late in life, Mike decided to become Catholic. He always regretted that he came so late to the Church, aware of the time he lost. But truly, it made him so much more appreciative of God's generosity and blessings. With God's eternal patience and forgiveness, he knew that a late start was not a penalty. He especially loved the story about the workers in the vineyard in the Gospel of Matthew. He served proudly as a member of the Knights of Columbus and dedicated as much time as his health permitted to his church community through Brothers in Christ, the food pantry, and helping with the Care Mass.
Mike was first and foremost a devoted husband and family man. Everything he did was for his family. He was tremendously proud of his two sons. In his last days, he would say that he loved his boys and loved his girls. The girls being his five granddaughters.
He left a wife and family that he loved intensely and who loved him unconditionally. A deep and profound loss, their lives will be changed forever. He will be remembered for his quick wit and ability to make others laugh as well as for his love of Christ.