Mike was preceded in death by his wife Michiko (Yoshimatsu) Gholson, parents Archer Joe Gholson of Maud, OK and Flora Ellen (Jones) Gardner of Wichita Falls, TX as well as siblings LaVerne Fouts (Wichita Falls, TX), J.C. Gholson (Aspermont, TX), Ray Gholson (Kamay, TX), Margie Nowell (Maud, OK), Bonnie Elliott (Wichita Falls, TX) and Idell Chambless (Wichita Falls, TX). He is survived by a host of nieces and nephews who loved him dearly and who will always remember the annual Christmas breakfast that he hosted every year. Special thanks and acknowledgement go to Nevy and Danny Gonzales as well as Richard Llano and family for their love and care for Mike for many years. They were his “adopted families” in Anthony. Final thank you goes to Mike’s wonderful caregivers Albert, Fabiola, Joel, and Jesse who have cared for him over the past five years during his long illness.
Mike was born on September 2, 1925 in Aspermont, TX. He graduated from Holliday High School and received an Associate Degree from Ranger College. Mike was drafted in the U.S. Army on December 20, 1948 and served his country until his honorable discharge on November 30, 1969 with rank of CW4 Appointed Warrant Officer. Upon his discharge from the Army, Mike worked for another twenty years as a civil servant at White Sands Missile Range serving in much the same capacity as he did in the army.
During his twenty-year service in the Army for our country, Mike served over five years in foreign service with one tour of duty in Korea and two tours of duty in Vietnam. It was during his serving in Japan that he met and married his wife Michiko on March 25, 1954. Mike received the Army of Occupation Medal for Japan as well as the Korean Service Medal w/4 Bronze Stars along with many commendation medals and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal. His family is extremely proud of Mike’s service to our country.
After retiring from the army, Mike enjoyed his daily outings to the race track, growing his pecans, yearly fishing trips with family and the special yearly Las Vegas trip with his siblings and nieces and nephews. Mike’s greatest enjoyment was getting together with his family and he will be sorely missed by his family.
Mike will be buried beside his wife Michiko in Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson, El Paso, TX 79906 on Friday, March 31, 2023 at 10:00 am.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com for the Gholson family.
