On Wednesday, June 5, 2019, our world traveler completed his final journey. Mike fought a good fight but ultimately lost his short battle with cancer. Born on June 10, 1947, to Alvin and Zula (Bruce) Jahn, in Guthrie, OK, Mike began his journey and love for adventure. As the son of a United States Air Force Major, he lived in several states throughout his lifetime.
Mike truly lived his journey. He graduated from Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, OK. While in high school, he was a state wrestling champion and earned a college scholarship to Arizona State University.
Mike was enrolled in the ROTC program while in college. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and Biological Sciences from Arizona State University, he enrolled in the US Army where he was commissioned as a lieutenant. After completing Officer’s Basic, Airborne, and Ranger schools, Mike was assigned to Europe. He was initially a Platoon Leader of an over 70 man Military Police Platoon at Division Headquarters, and was later assigned Commander of a 300 man Military Police Company responsible for covering six cities. He was then re-assigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was promoted to Captain and detailed as Military Police Operations Officer. Later, he was assigned as the Military Police Station Commander.
Mike was honorably discharged from the US Army in 1975, having earned the rank of Captain and being awarded the Army Commendation Medal twice, to begin his career in law enforcement. Mike earned his Associate in Arts degree in Administration of Justice from Phoenix College, and his Master of Science degree in Police Administration from Northern Arizona University. Additionally, he graduated from the FBI’s National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
He began his law enforcement career in Phoenix, Arizona in 1976, where Mike served the City of Phoenix Police Department, he worked his way through the ranks from Patrol Officer to Commander. In 1996, he accepted the position of Chief in his hometown of Midwest City, Oklahoma. He served as Chief of Police until 1999, when he relocated to Sunrise, Florida as a Police Major from 1999-2002. While working, Mike also taught many law enforcement classes at colleges and universities in Arizona, and at the Oklahoma Regional Community Policing Institute.
After retirement from Law Enforcement, Mike became a TSA agent at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, a position he held for 9 years.
Mike was driven to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and until his sudden illness in February, he walked at least 20,000 steps a day. Many of those steps were taken with his beloved Miniature Pinscher, Obi, by his side. Mike shared his knowledge and passion for healthy living and living an active lifestyle as a personal trainer, working with many clients through the years.
Throughout his adult life, Mike enjoyed many adventures traveling around the world and his passport stamps prove it. He dove at the opportunity to SCUBA in the Great Barrier Reef and numerous other locations, flew down many ski hills, and most recently, discovered a passion for cruising. Sadly, Mike left several new travel adventures incomplete in 2019 due to his illness.
A kind and gentle soul; a man who called a spade, a spade; a ruthless card player; and wine connoisseur, Mike will be greatly missed. Left to cherish his memories, share stories and a few laughs, and carry on the tradition of the family game ,of Royal Rummy are his nephew, Steven (Michelle) Bahr, Ringle, WI; nieces, Karin Coolidge, Bradenton, FL; and Julie (Scott) Mathews, CIncinnati, OH. He is also survived by great-nephews Ryan and Greg (Candace); great-nieces Megan (Jim), Maggie (Patrick), and Cassie (Ryan); great-great-nephews AJ, Bryce, Carter, Jordan; great-great-niece Madelyn and step great-great nephew Desmond; and a special high school friend, George “GB” Caldwell (Kari), Tulsa, OK.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Zula Jahn; brother, David Fisher; and sister, Annette Jahn.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to GB Caldwell, Mike’s doctors and nurses for their compassion and care.
Salud!
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