George Michael Todd Jr.

Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman Second Class, U.S. Navy

February 16, 1985 – May 12, 2023

When your life was as full as George Michael Todd, Jr.’s, it’s hard to know where to begin.

Mik was one of a kind. He was courageous beyond belief and as real as it gets. A Godly man of great character. A powerful force for good. A bright light in even the darkest shadows.

Mik was born in Memphis, TN, to his adoring parents, George Sr. (Mike) and Rebecca Googe Todd, on February 16, 1985. Six years later, he became the protective big brother to his sister Emily, and later to his brother Logan. His childhood was full of riding bikes, playing hoops, making music and enjoying family.

After he graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 2003, Mik worked in fine dining. But he was not satisfied. Seeing the trajectory of his life before him, he made a life-changing decision to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps; he joined the U.S. Navy in 2006.

That’s where “Doc” comes in. Mik served as a Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines Infantry Unit (America’s Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC). The Navy may have signed his paychecks, but Mik was a Marine through and through. His brothers were his life, and he was their Doc.

Together they deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in summer 2009 as part of Operation Khanjar, the largest aerial insertion of Marine Corps troops since the Vietnam War. Mik treated blast and burn injuries and heat exhaustion during combat. He kept his Marines’ spirits up with his uncanny wit and freestyle raps. He gave it his all and nearly died with a severe illness forcing him home. His wounds were not visible, but the pain of losing friends and leaving the fight alone changed him forever.

Alongside his family, the person who lifted him up through this time and forever more was me, his wife Abby. By destiny and the fast action of his friend Zach, we ended up in the same bar in Midtown Atlanta, just a few months prior to that deployment. Mik told his friends that night and his family the next day that he had met his wife. And well, I guess you could say the rest is history. Our love story was ours, and we were fortunate to share so many wonderful times during our 12 years of marriage and raising our precious daughters Savannah and Audrey (Daddy loves you so much, girls).

If you were lucky to meet Mik, you knew he was someone special. His spirit was magnetic. His energy was infectious. He had an indelible thirst for life, an insatiable desire for greatness and an incomparable passion for helping others. He had a higher purpose.

Mik’s mission was to save lives. Whether it was during a firefight, sharing his story or recording the nationally acclaimed “Combat Medicine” album and countless songs to impact veteran mental health, he was willing to sacrifice and serve a cause greater than himself.

And he did. Mik’s constant pursuit of personal growth brought out the best in others. He led by example in many ways, including the use of his G.I. Bill benefit to earn a bachelor’s degree in economics and public policy from Georgia State University; he graduated magna cum laude with honors in 2014.

No matter how big or small the interaction, Mik invited people to be their most authentic self. He championed their journey. He encouraged them to push beyond their own perceived limits. He shared his talents and his struggles. He made people smile. His gifted soul touched millions.

But that does not make today any easier. Our hearts are broken into a million pieces because the heart of an extraordinary man was too big for this world. And one ordinary day, it just stopped. Gone far too soon.

So where do we go from here? We grieve. We take steps – one right, one left. We better ourselves to better the people and world around us. We carry Mik’s mission forward. We listen to his words and music, and we remember we are Not Alone.

Mik is survived by his wife Abigail and daughters Savannah May (9) and Audrey Carole (7) of Atlanta; parents Mike and Becky Todd of Memphis; sister Emily Dowdy of Memphis; brother Logan Todd of Nashville and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and family.

A funeral service, with military honors, will take place Thursday, May 25 at 2:00 p.m. at H.M. Patterson & Son – Arlington Chapel in Sandy Springs, GA. Visitation will be held from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. and a reception from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. The family asks that military service members, veterans, first responders, police and firefighters dress in uniform or suit and tie. Mik will be laid to rest at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please listen to and share Doc’s music (available on all streaming platforms).