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Michael Donald "Mike"
Johnson
Apr 7, 1944 - Jul 30, 2022
Submitted by Jo Aguirre
 © Tommy Neathery |
©
Kingfisher Times & Free Press
Michael Donald Johnson was born on April 7, 1944, to Donald and Hazel Eakins
Johnson. He passed away on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at the age of 78.
Mike was raised in Kingfisher and it quickly became clear to his parents that their son was a born entrepreneur.He started his business ventures as a young child by making and selling hot pads and peddling wrapping paper and greeting cards. At age 14, he expanded his endeavors to open his own fireworks stand in the parking lot of his family’s farm machinery and auto dealership. At 15, Mike began raising bees with the help of his Grandpa Johnson and his honey production became a love that lasted into his adulthood.
His businesses took a backseat when he turned 16, as he became a combine operator for his family’s custom harvesting business. For seven summers, Mike traveled with his family to Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming and the Dakotas to harvest wheat for a faithful base of customers. After graduating from Kingfisher High School in 1962, he attended Oklahoma State University to pursue a degree in accounting. It was during Mike’s senior year at OSU that he met the love of his life, Judy Freeman. Mike and Judy wed on Dec. 26, 1966, and began an incredible 55-year-long partnership of undeniable love, commitment and selflessness. Mike and Judy both earned bachelor’s degrees in accounting from Oklahoma State University, his in 1966 and hers in 1967. After tying the knot, the Johnsons moved to Oklahoma City and then Edmond, where they both worked as accountants and opened a tropical fish store. They also tried their hands at running a small cow-calf operation and opened their own CPA firm in Edmond. Mike was elected as the Edmond city treasurer in the 1970s and took pride in the fact that he was the first treasurer to actively invest idle funds. While living in Edmond, Mike and Judy welcomed three beloved children into their family: daughter Lori in 1969, son David in 1971 and son Rob in 1974. In 1981, Mike and Judy moved their family from Edmond to Kingfisher to join in his family’s Chrysler dealership, Johnsons of Kingfisher. Mike became general manager of the dealership, Judy served as controller and in 1984, Mike’s brother, John, joined the dealership. Together, they built one of the most honored and longest-running family-owned dealerships in Oklahoma. A leader in the Kingfisher community, Mike served as president of the Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce, president of the Kingfisher Board of Education and was an active Rotarian. As a man with a strong passion for politics, Mike was honored to have been elected to the state Senate in 1998 where he served for 12 years. He became the state’s first Republican chairman of the Senate appropriations committee his last two years in office. Mike greatly enjoyed his time in the Senate where he built friendships that would last the remainder of his life. Mike and Judy were avid travelers and enjoyed many international trips, cruises and Vegas getaways. Their favorite pastime, however, was supporting their Oklahoma State Cowboys in every sporting event they could fit into their busy schedules. Both Mike and Judy’s closets reflect this passion. Orange was the color of choice in the Johnson home, whether it be clothing, shoes, jewelry, blankets, clocks, cups, fish, pet collars, flowers or artwork. Mike was generous his entire life. He quietly supported numerous charities, churches, fundraisers and foundations. Among his favorites were the Center of Family Love, the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and the OSU Foundation. He felt strongly about making it more financially feasible for young men and women to earn a college degree. As a result, he and Judy established four endowed scholarships at Oklahoma State University. Mike was passionate about many things: business, politics, OSU and OSU athletics. But anyone who knew Mike would agree that his greatest love and passion was for his family. Nothing took priority over the needs of Judy, his children and his grandchildren. Mike and Judy were always the biggest cheerleaders and supporters of their children and they continued to play that same role in the lives of their 14 grandchildren. The steadfast love that Mike and Judy shared was such an example and blessing for their entire family.He leaves behind wife Judy of Kingfisher; son David Johnson and wife Jerilyn of Kingfisher, and son Rob Johnson and wife Colleen of Edmond; sister Joyce Stuteville and husband Jack of Kingfisher; brother John Johnson and wife Valerie of Kingfisher. Also, grandchildren Mary Sanders of Norman; Anna Sanders of Oklahoma City; John, Catherine and Elizabeth Sanders of Yukon; Megan Johnson of Piedmont; Jenna, Michael and Elijah Johnson of Kingfisher; Kensington and McKellyn Johnson and Madeline, Megan, and Maren Camp, all of Edmond.
The wake service was 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Kingfisher. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4, also at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Kingfisher.This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated in any way without consent.
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