Johnny "Mac" McMichael

June 26, 1927 ~ June 22, 2019

© Brown's Durant Funeral and Cremation Service

Submitted by: TD

 

Johnny “Mac” McMichael, 91, of Caddo, OK passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2019 in Bonham, TX. He was born on June 26, 1927 at home in Mt View, OK to Jesse Booker and Annie Mae (Phipps) McMichael and moved to Kenefic, OK in 1933. He grew up walking his brother and sister a couple of miles through the woods to school, crossing foot logs with rushing creeks just before daylight. He became the man of the house at 7 years old when his dad passed away. He helped his mom and family working the fields, cutting wood, gathering food, gardening, sewing, cooking, plowing and anything a man would do to survive in the 1930’s country life.

He stopped going to school his 8th grade year, to help his mom at home full time. At age 18, he was drafted into the Army during World War II, and was stationed in Alaska, later receiving a Victory Medal. He married Betty Kitchens in 1947, when he returned from the Army and had 3 children. He went on to work at Perrin Airforce Base where he worked on jet engines and taxied planes. With his knowledge of mechanics (even with an 8th grade education) he was highly sought after to work on German machines at Durant Electronics. Later in life, he enjoyed checking the cows and chickens, working in the garden, riding the 4-wheeler and visiting with friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Betty, sister Jessie Mae McMichael, and son in law Danny Mitchell.

Johnny is survived by his children; daughter, Barbara Mitchell of Caddo, OK; sons Larry McMichael and James McMichael of Caddo, OK; grandchildren Melanie Stanley of Tushka, OK, Julie Dilbeck of Brighton, CO, Marla Yandell of Caddo, OK, Landon McMichael of Caddo, OK, Brandon Mitchell of Caddo, OK, Becky Royston of Durant, OK and Patty Parker of Anna, TX; 15 great-grandchildren, Kenton and Kenslie Stanley; Jagger and Olivia Yandell; Gage, Garrett, and Gavin McMichael; Waylon and Abby Stanley; Tristan and Taylor Parker; Jason and David Dilbeck; Fischer and Bellamy Mitchell; 1 great-great grandchild, Dally Stanley; sister, Dorothy May of Haltom City, TX; and brother, Jerry McMichael of Caddo, OK along with other extended family members and dear friends.

Services to honor Johnny’s life will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at Brown’s Funeral Service Chapel in Durant, OK with JD Culbreath officiating. Interment will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery in Caddo, OK with the grandchildren serving as pallbearers. A family hour will be held Tuesday evening, June 25th, from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Durant Funeral and Cremation Service.