MAJ (Ret.) Michael Ray Johnson

1938 - 2017

Funeral service for MAJ (Retired) Michael Ray Johnson will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 11, 2017, in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. James H. Brock, Lawton officiating.

Burial with full military honors will follow in the Post Cemetery, Fort Sill.
The family will greet friends Tuesday evening from 6pm until 8pm at the funeral home.

MAJ (Retired) Michael Ray Johnson, 79, Edmond, OK, passed away Friday, October 6, 2017, in Edmond.

He was born August 11, 1938, in Kansas City, MO, to Ray Elwood and Willa (Larey) Johnson. He was raised in Buckner, MO, and was in the first graduating class of Fort Osage High School. His first job was at the soda fountain at the corner pharmacy in his hometown of Buckner. Michael had a passion for music and enjoyed singing with his sister or anyone else who joined in. He and Jan grew up singing in church and at weddings and other events. He received his Bachelors from the University of Kansas where he was the Class President. He made many friends while at KU, one of which was Wilt "the Stilt" Chamberlin. Michael loved everything about KU. His father was a KU baseball letterman, he loved KU basketball and prayed constantly for KU football, and he had just recently attended his 50 year KU alumni reunion.

He left pharmacy school in his final year to pursue his dream of being an Army officer. During his military career he served tours in Vietnam, Germany, Fort Sill and Fort Lee. He retired from the US Army after serving 20 years in the Quartermaster Corps. During his service he earned the following awards: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 8 Service Stars, Air Medal 4th Award, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star, Bronze Star Medal with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, 4 Overseas Service Bars, Army Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Medal 1st Class, Republic of Vietnam Cross with Silver Star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass Device, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon-3. After his retirement from the Army in 1983, he continued to serve his country as Logistics Assistance Officer, serving out of Fort Hood and Fort Sill. These assignments led him to duties in Honduras and Korea, along with other duty stations. After his full retirement, he and Lucy would travel often with his son and his family, to Mexico, South Carolina and multiple ski vacations. Michael became very civic oriented and was heavily involved in the Lawton community. He participated in the Lawton Community Theatre, Lawton Arts for All and the Lawton Philharmonic Society. Michael loved attending his granddaughter's sporting events and was there for all four of their high school soccer state championships. He had recently even become a "cheer" grandfather for his youngest granddaughter. His most enduring quality was that regardless of all his health impairments, he never once complained. He loved his life, his wife, his son, his daughter-in-law and granddaughters who referred to him as HoHo. He was a friend to all and appreciated the little things in life. He will always be remembered and loved.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years Lucy, son Michael S. Johnson and wife Joan of Edmond, OK, his sister Jan Smith and husband Rick of Wellington, FL, 4 granddaughters, Mikalyn Johnson of Denver, CO, Kylee Johnson of Norman, OK, Juliana Johnson of Edmond, OK and Caroline Johnson of Edmond, OK. He is also survived by 3 nieces and his dogs Buster and Magnolia.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Oklahoma Council of the Blind, PO Box 1476, OKC, OK 74103
An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com