BUCYRUS — Local residents woke up Sunday morning to the devastating news that a local icon had lost his battle with leukemia.

Many people are grieving the loss of Dr. Michael Johnson, known to many simply as Dr. Mike or Dr. J, and are sharing their thoughts and memories about him on social media in the days leading up to his funeral on Friday.

These are their thoughts and words:

When Judy Hoffman lost her beloved son July 14, 2015, not only did Johnson’s son Chris, also a doctor, try to save his life, Dr. Mike tried to comfort Hoffman.

“His compassion, along with Dr. Chris’, meant the world to me. He was our family doctor for over 35 years and was so kind and caring. He never made me feel like he didn’t care and made sure I was confident when I left his office,” Hoffman said. “He was one of a kind.”

Bucyrus resident Rita Pritchard will remember the compassion Johnson had for his patients.

“You could feel the compassion he felt for his patients and that he loved being, not only a doctor, but a person who could help others,” Pritchard said.

Retired Bucyrus Chamber of Commerce Director Debra Pinion remembers how the doctor was there for her and her husband during a scary yet exciting time in their lives.

“After 13 years of marriage, in 1979 Roger and I finally were able to conceive,” Pinion said. “We were on cloud nine and scared at the same time. Mike was the doctor we chose to join us on this journey. Through the months of pregnancy, we had our regular appointments and many scared calls as worried parents-to-be after waiting so long. Always he was there, making sure we were worked in for an appointment or calling us to be sure all was ok.”

She said when delivery day came, Johnson was by their side almost constantly, even seeing patients in the waiting room of the obstetrics unit.

“Finally, at about 3 p.m., he delivered the most precious gift we could receive, our son. He was so happy for us and announced to everyone in the room that this was a joyous moment. Mike continued to be our family doctor and Aaron our son who loved sports dubbed Mike as Dr. J,” Pinon said. “His pure honesty, genuine heart and dry sense of humor have carried us through over 40 years.”

Johnson became April Powell’s family doctor nearly 28 years ago when she gave birth to her first child.

“I did not have a pediatrician and had gotten very ill during delivery. I did not get to hold my new baby until a half an hour before leaving the hospital four days later,” Powell said. “He was the doctor on call and asked who my pediatrician was. I said I didn’t have one and he said well you do now. He then asked who was taking care of me, again, I didn’t have a doctor. He said, ‘What good would it do me to treat my patient and not her mother. How can I possibly keep her healthy if momma is not.’ There is nothing this man wouldn’t do for his patients!! I have a million more stories and I will keep them dear to my heart. What a wonderful family man and doctor. Gone way too soon.”

Jeff Buckley said no matter what he had to tell you in his office, Johnson always smiled that contagious smile and Linda Lenavitt describes him as a truly kind man.

Billie Jo Carr has a fun memory of the doctor that she will always hold close to her heart.

“Dr. Mike was our family doctor. My mother, who is gone now, loved him and he always took good care of her. He sent her to OSU, my father and I took her, and she was in the ED for a long time. When we got out, it was late but were we starving since we had not eaten all day,” Carr said.

Carr and her parents went to a nearby restaurant and when they got back in the car to leave, Carr’s mom sat in the front seat while she thought her dad had climbed into the backseat.

“I heard my dad shut the back door so I left the restaurant and drove away when I asked my dad a question. He did not answer me, so I looked in the back and he was not there. So, I turned the car around and went back to get him. By that time, the restaurant was all dark and no one was around except my dad standing in the dark. What he had done was put the leftover food in the back and was walking to the other side of the car, but I didn’t know that is what he did,” Carr said.

Carr’s parents relayed the story to Dr. Mike the next time they saw him.

“He thought that was the funniest thing so the next time I saw him, we were in a meeting together, he had to tease me about it. Not only that time, but every time I saw him at his office, he had to tease me and tell everyone who was with him in the room. He even told me he had to go to his mother’s house the day my parents told him to tell her,” Carr said. “I will never forget that and I bet Dr. Chris and his office will never forget it either. We will miss him and pray for his family to remember fun memories like the one we had with him.”

Amy Harmon Moody said Dr. Johnson took care of her since the time she was a little girl.

“His dedication to the Bucyrus community and our family truly made Bucyrus a better place. He will be missed so much. We love him,” Moody said.

Beth Powers Gatrell is a nurse and had the pleasure of working with Dr. Johnson in the operating room when he would assist surgeries.

“He was a wonderful man and doctor. He was caring and genuine,” Gatrell said.

Donna Hardymon works at Carle’s and would see the doctor often.

“I enjoyed serving him. At Carle’s, he was always hungry an eager to talk. I enjoyed our conversations too,” Hardymon said.

Patsy Gearhart’s late husband, Bobby, worked at Bucyrus Community Hospital.

“Dr. Mike was my whole family’s doctor and the kindest person ever,” Gearhart said. “Bobby worked at the hospital and Mike and Chris always praised him for his work.”

Bucyrus business owner Marcia Griebling said Johnson cared for her and her family for more than 40 years.

“His manner and his smile always brought encouragement. He really did make life better for all of us that knew him,” Greibling said. “I will always miss him but he did leave us a part of himself, Dr. Chris Johnson. We all love and care for Dr. Mike’s entire family. May God’s love be upon them.”

Morgan Keets, who has recently battled cancer, honestly thinks there are no words to describe what an incredible human being Johnson really was.

“He was full of care and compassion for every single person he came in contact with. How are we honestly going to pay tribute to such an amazing man and it be enough? The skies over this entire county are a little darker today. So many broken hearts. It truly says so much about the demeanor of this gentleman,” Keets said. “He served our community and our hearts beyond measure. We were all so very lucky to have been blessed to know and love this man. If I ever find the right words to say about Dr. Mike, I’ll let you know. For now, I’m just praying for peace not only for his beautiful family, but the entire community. I hope the memory of his strength and compassion will live in our hearts forever. It will surely live in mine.”

All services will take place at Good Hope Lutheran Church, 129 W. Charles St., Bucyrus.

His family will receive friends from 1-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. Friends are also invited to pay their respects to Dr. Mike from 10-10:50 a.m. Friday, and his funeral will begin Friday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Renee Ahern officiating.

Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate donations be made payable to Good Hope Lutheran Preschool, Wynford Local Schools (these donations will go toward the purchase of basketball scoreboards in the new gym), or a charity of the donor’s choice. These gifts will be accepted through Wise Funeral Service or at the church on days of his services.

Dr. Johnson’s obituary may be read here.