Michael Johnson

Michael D. Johnson was born April 6, 1948 in Denison Texas to Marland Johnson and Bonnie Adamson Johnson. Michael grew up in the Southern California coastal community of Santa Paula, California and moved to the Cleveland area and attended Cleveland High School his senior year, graduating with the class of 1966. Following graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy becoming a Navy Weatherman.
In 1970 he married Cynthia Wilkinson of Saugus, California. After completing a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Laverne in California in 1973, he attended Officers Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy Supply Corps in 1974. He had a myriad of different assignments, serving on nuclear submarines, amphibious assault ships during the Vietnam War and aircraft carriers in peacetime, and a number of shore stations overseas and stateside. He retired in 1992 after 26 years’ service following his last assignment as Chief of Staff for Logistics with the Navy Seals. Along the way he earned a Master’s Degree from USC in 1980, attended the National University School of Law 1980 to 1981 and completed a PHD curriculum in business management at the United States International University at San Diego in 1985. He retired with the rank of Commander, SC, US Navy in 1992. Michael was awarded the following medals, decorations and citations; Meritorious Service Metal, Navy Commendation Metal with Gold Star, Meritorious Unit Commendation with 2 Bronze stars, Navy Efficiency “E” Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Metal, Navy Expeditionary Medal (Special Operations), National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, Navy and Marine Corps overseas Service Ribbon, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation with Star, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device 1960, Navy Expert Pistol Shot, Naval Aviation Supply Insignia, and the Submarine Supply Corps Insignia.
Following retirement Michael and Cynthia and family settled in Meeker, Oklahoma. He was employed with the Oklahoma Blood Institute, operated a Local Diner and ran cattle on their 80 acres ranch. Michael closely followed the San Diego Chargers, politics, and was considered a news junkie by his grandchildren. Cynthia passed away in August 2009. During the final years of Cynthia’s life, Michael dedicated his life to her care as she was battling cancer and was by her side most of that time.
In July of 2010 Michael married Cleveland High School classmate Karen (Raborn) Bradley. The couple resided near Keystone Lake together and took trips to California together twice a year. Michael was described by his family and a kind and funny husband, father and grandfather who was extremely intelligent and patriotic. He was generous and loved spending time with his family. There was no project to large for him to take on; building his own home. If he saw a project that needed done he felt like he could always do it. He enjoyed getting on his tractor and taking on the acreage near their home. He was definitely a DYI guy. Additional projects that he accomplished included rebuilding a couple of Z cars. He also was an avid coin and stamp collector.
Michael is survived by his wife, Karen Johnson of the home, and children, Michelle (Johnson) Fox of Meeker, Oklahoma, Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Johnson Jr., USCG, Homestead, Florida, Jennifer (Johnson) Cannon of Okeene, Oklahoma, Melissa Johnson of Mustang, Oklahoma, and Staff Sargent Jacquelyn (Johnson) Yenser, USAF, now serving in Guam, 17 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 1 step grandchild and 1 step great grandchild, and two brothers, Steve Johnson of Sand Springs, Oklahoma and James Johnson of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He was preceded by his parents, Marland and Bonnie Johnson, sister Christy Stevens, grandchildren Briana and Brandon, and his first wife Cynthia Johnson.
Funeral services will held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with J. D. Hostutler officiating. Commander Johnson will be interred and rendered full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.