Michael R. Johnson

June 10, 1948-Feb. 2, 2016

Longtime Ninilchik resident Michael R. Johnson, 67, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, at his home from natural causes.

Graveside services were held 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, at the American Legion Cemetery in Ninilchik.

Michael was born June 10, 1948, in Vancouver, Wash. He received his education at Bonney Lake Elementary in Seattle and Reynolds High School in Portland, Ore. He also received education in the military and had served as a chaplain. He served in the U.S. Army 173rd Airborne from 1966-77. He served two tours in Vietnam and also in Germany and Seattle. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Vietnamese Medal of Honor and the President’s Commendation.

Michael moved to Alaska in 1977 and lived in Anchorage, where he worked as a chef at the Captain Cook Hotel. In 1986, he moved to Ninilchik, where he worked as a s smoker chef for Deep Creek Custom Packing. He retired in 1989.

“Michael was very reclusive, especially this past year. He loved painting and spent most of his time doing so. He was affected for life by his duty in the military during Vietnam and after. Michael had a very difficult life with a lot of problems, some of which he brought on himself. He served for 11 years active duty and was very proud to be a soldier. After his military career he worked in various hotels around the state of Alaska. He loved the arts and was a very happy individual. It will not be the same without him. He always helped everyone he could.” His family wrote.

Michael was preceded in death by his sister, Kathy Johnson; brother, Bill Johnson,  and his mother, Jean Berger.

He is survived by his son, Todd Hendricks of Yakima, Wash.; daughters, Rachael Johnson and Tammy Eversole, both of Raleigh, N.C.; Starr Johnson of Seattle, Wash.; his father and stepmother, Frank and Colleen Berger of Bend, Ore.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jeff and Mary Berger of Ninilchik and Joe and Connie Johnson of Bend, Ore.; sister and brother-in-law, Lynnette and Ed Hewitt of Wenatchee, Wash.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai.