Michael “Mike” Joseph Johnson

02/21/1945 – 02/14/2025

Born in: Chicago, IL

Resided in: North Myrtle Beach, SC

Mike Johnson passed away on February 14, 2025 at Grand Strand Medical Center.

He was the third of six siblings and was welcomed into heaven by his stepson Jeffrey (Amy), his mother Mary Frances, father John Mason, his sister Diane Over, and brothers James (Kim) and Timothy along with in-laws Margarett Ella and George Frank Kube.

Mike grew up on the Southside of Chicago, among many cousins and close friends. As a stand-out football player at Leo Catholic High School (L-Guard) making All City and All Catholic League, Mike went on to play football for two years at the University of Utah. He completed his degree at The American University, with a degree in Administration of Justice.

He entered the Army in 1967 and was stationed at Ft. Myer in Arlington, VA where he served in the “Old Guard” and participated in many events, including Bobby Kennedy’s funeral service. One fateful evening he went to the NCO club and worked up the courage to ask a young woman to dance. He described her as the spitting image of Kim Novak. That woman, Loretta Kube, accepted the invitation and later his proposal, marrying July 11, 1969. Following the Army, Mike completed training at the Washington DC Police Academy, becoming an MPDC Police Officer. He and Loretta welcomed a daughter, Christine (Keady) in 1972.

Mike’s career with the MPDC was acknowledged with multiple commendations and letters of appreciation from Congressional Committee members for his expert testimony on Jury Tampering, Pope John Paul II for providing security during his Oct. 1979 visit, and community impact awards. Mike rose to the rank of Captain and retired in 1993.

Mike and Loretta traveled across the country and to several countries due to Loretta’s career with the Defense Information System Agency (DISA). They visited Hawaii, Italy, Ireland, and Germany, and traveled to see family in IL, UT, NV, FL, and VA as often as they were physically able.

After retirement, Mike worked for Kemper Insurance as an Insurance Fraud Investigator. Mike and Loretta resided in Vienna, VA and had a second home in Myrtle Beach, SC because of Mike’s love for the game of golf. They moved to SC fulltime in 2007 and became parishioners of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. As they advanced in age, they attended the online services every Sunday. Mike leaves behind his loving wife, Loretta, daughter, Christine (Brian) Keady, and grandchildren Michelle, Michael, and Megan, brothers John P. “Pat” (Nancy) and Robert, and many nieces and nephews throughout the country.

Things he loved: his family, good Chicago “thin-crust” pizza, golf, and Miller Light

He is remembered and greatly missed.

A memorial mass will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Our Lady Star of The Sea Catholic Church.