Michael Clarkson

Michael Roy Clarkson of Midland, Texas died October 23, 2016 at Midland Memorial Hospital surrounded by friends and family after a hard fought battle with cancer.

Mike was years 61 years young and was diagnosed with cancer in March of 2015.

Mike was born in Genesee, Michigan September 26, 1955, son of Doyle and Juanita Clarkson, who both preceded him in death.

Upon graduating high school, Mike attended the University of Michigan and worked in the family restaurant. Mike also enjoyed a short career in boxing. 

A passion of Mike’s was to master the art of cooking and he attended culinary school prior to moving to Midland in 1981 and secured a job with Permian Distributing, also known as Coors.

On July 5, 1986 he married Janis “JJ” Johnson. 

At the time of Mike’s diagnosis he was employed as a realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Midland, TX.

He loved the Dallas Cowboys, the Michigan Wolverines, cooking, hunting, snowmobiling, the lake, and his family as well as his extended circle of friends that he thought of as family.  He was known as a gentle giant.

Mike is survived by his wife, JJ Clarkson of Midland; sisters, Linda Flowers of Piggott, Arkansas and Lisa Clarkson of Flint, Michigan; father and mother in law, Keith and Darlene Johnson of Elgin, Iowa, sister in law Julie Knox and her husband Mike, brother in law Jim Johnson and his wife Brenda, sister in law Joy Gross and her husband Paul,

Aunt Jean Greenwood and her husband Jack, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, as well as his special four-legged companion Jack.

Mike was preceded in death by his brother, Phil Clarkson.

The celebration of life was held on Monday, October 24, 2016 at the Lewallen Pipkin Garcia Funeral Home.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations to be made to Hospice of Midland and March of Dimes.   44u44