LA GRANGE, Ky. — An Oldham County man who dedicated his life to helping others has passed away due to complications caused by the coronavirus.

“He risked his life everyday,” David Mike said of his brother EJ Mike, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 58. “Being a paramedic was his true love and I believe that’s what he loved at heart."

EJ was one of the original members of the Oldham County EMS and long-time worker at the Louisville V.A.

Mike checked himself into Brownsboro Norton Hospital toward the end of July and was diagnosed with COVID-19. His brother says EJ was on a ventilator for more than a month, and the virus caused major damage to his lungs.

“This community lost one heck of a person when we lost EJ Mike,” friend and former coworker Keith Smith told Spectrum News 1. “All you’ve got to do is lose a friend like EJ, and it will bring this whole thing into focus for you that wearing a mask might be an imposition but, you know what, you may be saving someone’s life because you’re wearing a mask."

According to Smith, EJ retired several years ago following shoulder surgery but was still always ready and willing to help, and over three decades, earned a reputation in Oldham County.

“There were more times than not when we saw them rolling up and when EJ came up, we knew the patient was going to be fine because we knew the caliber of care they were going to receive," Smith said. 

EJ will be laid to rest Saturday. His funeral services will be live streamed by St. Michaels Orthodox Church in Louisville.

“EJ was a great father and brother, and it’s horrible what happened but his legacy is going to continue to go,” David Mike said.

Here is a link to EJ's CaringBridge site.