Michael Peter Johnson

During Mike’s lifetime his family was stationed in Germany, Indiana, and Oklahoma with summer vacations in Texas. Each new home added to his growth. He learned to fish during his early years fishing the trout streams of Germany and he continued to catching perch in Texas stock tanks, and fishing for bass in the many lakes of Mexico and Texas. His final favorite fishing hole was his special “piece of Heaven”, his own back yard on the Guadalupe River where he fished almost daily.

Mike also loved motors and wheels and all things mechanical, but most especially wheels with motors attached. It started in his early teens when he and his brother built a home-made go-cart from scrap lumber, an old washing machine motor, and lawn mower wheels. That fascination and ingenuity took hold and was present for all his life.

The Johnsons settled in Texas where Mike graduated from Sharyland High School in 1963.

He attended Pan American College for three years. In 1968, Mike entered the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Viet Nam and rose to the rank of E-5 as a helicopter Crew Chief with the 20th Engineer Brigade. For that service he was awarded The Air Medal.

After his discharge from the Army, he was accepted to the U.S. Border Patrol Academy and was first stationed in Chula Vista, California. Next Mike was assigned to Rio Grande City station where he moved to the U.S. Government Camp at Falcon Dam and he was able to fish Falcon Lake daily. His ties to his “Rio” Border Patrol families are still deep.

His next and last station was in McAllen, Texas where Mike completed his 25 year career and where he made life-long friends many of whom remember him as an excellent partner, mentor, and especially as a helping friend always ready to take on a project.

Michael retired in 1995 and was able to enjoy 30 years of “leisure” and “retirement”. Those years became some of the most busy and enjoyable of his life.

He discovered the relaxation of cruising and was able to enjoy numerous Caribbean sailings as well as Pacific and Atlantic Ocean adventures with friends. One of his favorites cruises was a Transatlantic from Barcelona. Spain to Galveston, Texas.

Mike enjoyed traveling across the states attending Cushman Motor Scooter meets, buying, repairing and restoring the vintage motor scooters of his youth. He especially enjoyed taking an abandoned “pile of junk” and getting it running and riding again. He loved his time in the Texas Cushman Club serving with event planning and scooter judging. He was awarded the Veteran of the Year Award and the Founder’s Award for his service to the club.

His restored scooters won numerous prizes including Best in Show and People’s Choice. Mike earned a reputation for his attention to detail in all his restoration projects from his first Harley-Davidson Topper Scooter, through his Corvette, through several cars, even a 70’s era Winnebago motor home, and dozens of Cushman motor scooters. He always did good work. He always cleaned up after himself. He always, always put his tools away.

His passing was fully in character, a life fully lived and a passing quietly and peacefully done and finished with all things in order.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents Lt. Col. Harold Johnson and Jeanette Johnson, sisters-in-law, Donna Sutherland, and Linda Lindeman, and nephew Bryan Sutherland.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, LaVerne; son, Patrick Michael (Will Everett), Step-son Paul Joseph Showery, and grandson Nathaniel Morales;

one brother, Harold S. Johnson (Rose), and sister Lauren Jeanette Giffin ( Mike). He is also survived by nephews; Blain Johnson, Torin Johnson, Keir Johnson, and Mike Giffin Jr., Ty Sutherland, and Michael Giffin and nieces; Sgm Meghan Giffin (Chris Hosack), Laura Eickholt(Keith), Kara Lindeman, Kate Lindeman, and Kendra Lindeman, Ava Sutherland, Miya Giffin, and Najla Mery (Vincent).

He is also survived by Diane Myers, the mother of his son and fondly remembered by members of the Texas Cushman Club and many members of his Border Patrol family and their sons and daughters.

Interment will follow the memorial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio where Michael will be laid to rest with full military honors. The family invites all to join us back in New Braunfels for lunch to be served in our home .

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to:

Michael J Fox Parkinsons Foundation at www.michaeljfox.org

Freedom on the Fly at www.freedomonthefly.org

Wreaths Across America at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org