Michael Schroder Obituary

Michael "Mike" Joseph Schroder
CONWAY - Michael "Mike" Joseph Schroder, 66, passed away on Sunday, December 2, 2018, at Conway Medical Center after a long battle with esophageal cancer. Mike is survived by Marsha Somers Schroder, his loving wife of nearly 45 years. They were married at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Aiken, South Carolina on December 22, 1973.
Mike was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to Malcolm Clark Schroder and Violet Bernier Schroder on November 5, 1952. He grew up in Aiken, SC where he attended Aiken High School. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 1975 where he was a member of the golf team. Thereafter, he began his life's work as a Carolina Class A PGA professional, teaching others to not only play, but love the game of golf. Mike was truly one of the pioneers of the golf school business, having directed his own golf schools in the 1980's and 1990's before taking some time away from teaching to test his own playing skills on the highest levels. He played successfully on both the PGA and Champions Tours and has helped a tremendous number of young players go on to play top collegiate and professional golf. Among his many accomplishments, Mike won the Carolina's PGA Section Teacher of the Year in 1996, appeared on the Golf Channel's Golf Academy Live with Kelly Tilghman and hosted the nationally syndicated Links Illustrated golf instruction program for over 20 years. Mike was named to the Golf Digest list of top instructors in South Carolina, was one of the first to produce instructional videos with his highly successful "Simplify Your Golf" series and had many featured articles in "On the Green Magazine." Before his passing, Mike was teaching at Steve Dresser Golf Academy at True Blue in Pawley's Island, South Carolina. Mike also enjoyed fishing. One of his favorite pastimes was watching LSU football with family. He was a man of faith and outstanding teacher to all.
Mike is lovingly remembered by his wife, Marsha; daughter, Lora Jensen and her husband, Rhinehart Jensen; daughter, Melissa Schroder Hocker and her husband, Mike Hocker; daughter, Michelle Morgan and her husband, David Morgan; 8 wonderful grandchildren; brother, Ted Schroder and his wife, Liza Schroder; brother, Ronald Schroder and his wife, Donna Schroder; Uncle, who was much like a brother to him, Bill Bernier and his wife, Carol Bernier; as well as his many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and other friends. Mike was preceded in death by parents, Malcolm Clark Schroder and Violet Bernier Schroder.
Funeral services will be held on December 14, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church located at 1071 Academy Drive, Conway, SC 29526. Family and friends will be received thereafter. Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the South Carolina Junior Golf Association.
Visit Watson's Funeral Home website to leave a message for the family www.watsonfuneralservices.com.