Mike Johnson

William Michael “Mike” Johnson, age 78, beloved husband of Lisa Owens Johnson, passed away on Thursday, October 23, 2025.

Born on October 9, 1947, in Georgetown, Coach Johnson was a son of the late Johnnie Bell Johnson and the late Kathryn Porter Johnson. He spent his childhood on the family’s land along Johnson Road in Georgetown County, where he cherished hunting, playing sports, and exploring the woods with his siblings and cousins. Coach Johnson graduated from Winyah High School in 1965, where he was an active member of the baseball and football teams. His experiences as a student-athlete would later inspire his lifelong career in coaching and mentoring youth in the Georgetown area.

Following high school, Coach Johnson attended Erskine College and played baseball under the mentorship of Coach Harry Stille. He graduated in 1970 and returned to Georgetown, where he began his career in education and coaching as an Assistant Baseball Coach to Coach Joe Isaac at Winyah High School.

In 1971, Coach Johnson accepted his first head baseball coaching position at Howard High School, where he also coached football through 1975 alongside Coach Tommy Smith. He returned to Winyah High School in 1976 as Head Coach and, after the consolidation of Georgetown High School and Howard High School in 1983, became the Head Coach of the newly formed Georgetown High School. Coach Johnson led the Georgetown High School team until his retirement in 2013, amassing an impressive record of 744 wins and 449 losses, making him the second-winningest coach in South Carolina high school baseball history.

Coach Johnson’s remarkable career was recognized with numerous honors. He was inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame in 2014 and became a member of the inaugural class of the South Carolina Baseball Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame in 2016. In 1989, the Georgetown County Stadium was renamed Mike Johnson Park in recognition of his dedication to rebuilding the stadium and elevating it to one of the finest in the state. His accolades include the AAAA SC State Championship in 1988, as well as multiple lower state, regional, and tournament championships throughout his coaching years.

While Coach Johnson cherished his many awards, his greatest joy was found in coaching and mentoring his players. The family has received countless tributes from former players who have shared how his guidance made a lasting impact on their lives beyond the baseball field.

Coach Johnson met his beloved wife Lisa, and they married in 1979. Together, they raised their children and found great happiness in family life. Coach Johnson especially enjoyed teaching, playing ball in the yard, and coaching his children Michael and Meagen, both of whom have been inducted into their respective University Sports Halls of Fame—Michael at Clemson University for baseball and Meagen at Coastal Carolina University for softball. In retirement, Coach Johnson found joy in watching his grandsons, Mike, III and Davis, participate in baseball, football, and basketball, and spending time with them outdoors.

Coach Johnson’s deep connection to his family land remained with him throughout his life. He was an active member and leader of The Johnnie Johnson Hunt Club and managed cattle, pine straw, and timber on the family farm. He also served as a lifelong supporter and Deacon at Johnson Chapel Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa, of Georgetown; his children, Michael Johnson, Jr. (Carrie) of Pawleys Island, and Meagen Johnson of Surfside Beach; two grandsons, Mike Johnson III and Davis Johnson, both of Pawleys Island; his sister, Elaine Hays (Frank) of Hartsville; nieces Alicia Johnson of Georgetown, Haley Dean of Charlotte, NC, and Stevie Owens of Charlotte, NC; nephews Ben Outen of Charlotte, NC, Frank Hays of Columbia, Derrick Outen of Pageland, Craig Hays of Hartsville, Bo Owens of Charlotte, NC, and John Owens of Charlotte, NC; his mother-in-law, Sylvia Owens of Georgetown; his sister-in-law, Sybil Johnson of Georgetown; his brother-in-law, Billy Owens (Stephanie) of Charlotte, NC; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Johnnie Johnson, Jr.; his sister, Janice Outen; his brother-in-law, Benny Outen; and his father-in-law, Farrel Owens.

A service for family and close friends will be held at Johnson Chapel Church, followed by burial in the church cemetery.

A Celebration of Life will take place at 3 PM on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Mike Johnson Park, with the family receiving friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mike Johnson Memorial Scholarship.

Online condolences may be shared at www.ridgewayfh.com.

Ridgeway Funeral Home of Georgetown is overseeing the arrangements.