Obituary for Michael Eugene Johnson
Michael Eugene Johnson
October 30, 1976 – December 6, 2022
Celebration of Life
January 7, 2023
In 1974, Lee and Sherrion decided to adopt a baby. In the interview they told the case worker they wanted a healthy baby. They were told healthy babies only come along about every 5 years. They were not deterred and knew God would give them a healthy baby and continued the process. Two years later they received a phone call about a healthy baby boy. They were allowed to meet him and bring him home for one hour to meet Debbie and his grandparents. He was the most beautiful baby with big blue eyes and a head full of black hair. The agency made no promises as there were many families that wanted a healthy baby. A few days later they received a phone call from the agency and were told his biological parents wanted him to be with a family that had American Indian heritage. Well, guess what, Lee has American Indian heritage. Two days later Michael was theirs and they were a family of four. God definitely placed him with them for a reason.
Michael’s early years were spent playing with neighborhood friends, riding bikes and skateboards, BMX racing, karate lessons, building forts and playing video games. He was always bringing home stray animals so there were many dogs, cats and an occasional hamster at our house. Most of the time Mike had a house full of kids which is just what his mom and dad wanted. Mike’s friends were always welcome and always treated like one of their own.
As he got older his friends continued to play a huge role in his life. Activities turned to video games, football games, out of town trips (some mom and dad didn’t know about), proms and formals. These were fun times for him and remembered it like it was yesterday. There were also some very memorable times like the time he and some friends went to Pismo Beach for Spring Break. Mike decided to try surfing. Well, the hospital ER called and said he had been hit in the head with the surfboard and needed stitches.
Then there was the time he and some friends decided to go to Pismo Beach and mom and dad didn’t know they were going. He would have got away with it but a couple of weeks later he got a speeding ticket in the mail.
Adulthood brought some challenges but we never stopped loving him or gave up on him. Michael loved his family and spent much of him time with friends watching sports and barbecuing. Once you were his friend, you were a friend for life. He was a big fan of Nascar, WWE, LA Dodgers and never gave up on his Detroit Lions. Of course, this is the year the Lions seem to be turning it around and have won 7 games so far this season. This is the kind of person he was… Mike was introduced to someone and was told this person likes WWE. So, Mike asked him “Who’s your favorite wrestler?” The guy shows him his t-shirt and Mike knew he was for real. The Mike asked him “What are you doing for the next WWE match?” The guy says, “I guess just watching it at home.” Mike said, “No, you’re coming to my house and we’ll watch the match and barbecue.” From that point on they have been friends.
As a family we have been blown away to find out how many true friends Mike had that we never knew about. He was still in touch with some of his childhood friends. The comments shared with us have shown us he truly made an impact in this world. His friends are heartbroken just as we are. He was so friendly and sociable and made friends wherever he went. He loved his dogs, Opie and Roscoe, who were always by his side and are lost without him just like we are.
As with any child there are good times and not so good times but the good times were so special that we have forgotten any bad times.
We were so blessed to have Michael in our life for 46 years.
If love could have kept him alive he’d still be here today.
We may not know why God took Michael at 46, but we know why he gave him to us 46 years ago. We are all better for having him in our life.
October 30, 1976 – December 6, 2022
Celebration of Life
January 7, 2023
In 1974, Lee and Sherrion decided to adopt a baby. In the interview they told the case worker they wanted a healthy baby. They were told healthy babies only come along about every 5 years. They were not deterred and knew God would give them a healthy baby and continued the process. Two years later they received a phone call about a healthy baby boy. They were allowed to meet him and bring him home for one hour to meet Debbie and his grandparents. He was the most beautiful baby with big blue eyes and a head full of black hair. The agency made no promises as there were many families that wanted a healthy baby. A few days later they received a phone call from the agency and were told his biological parents wanted him to be with a family that had American Indian heritage. Well, guess what, Lee has American Indian heritage. Two days later Michael was theirs and they were a family of four. God definitely placed him with them for a reason.
Michael’s early years were spent playing with neighborhood friends, riding bikes and skateboards, BMX racing, karate lessons, building forts and playing video games. He was always bringing home stray animals so there were many dogs, cats and an occasional hamster at our house. Most of the time Mike had a house full of kids which is just what his mom and dad wanted. Mike’s friends were always welcome and always treated like one of their own.
As he got older his friends continued to play a huge role in his life. Activities turned to video games, football games, out of town trips (some mom and dad didn’t know about), proms and formals. These were fun times for him and remembered it like it was yesterday. There were also some very memorable times like the time he and some friends went to Pismo Beach for Spring Break. Mike decided to try surfing. Well, the hospital ER called and said he had been hit in the head with the surfboard and needed stitches.
Then there was the time he and some friends decided to go to Pismo Beach and mom and dad didn’t know they were going. He would have got away with it but a couple of weeks later he got a speeding ticket in the mail.
Adulthood brought some challenges but we never stopped loving him or gave up on him. Michael loved his family and spent much of him time with friends watching sports and barbecuing. Once you were his friend, you were a friend for life. He was a big fan of Nascar, WWE, LA Dodgers and never gave up on his Detroit Lions. Of course, this is the year the Lions seem to be turning it around and have won 7 games so far this season. This is the kind of person he was… Mike was introduced to someone and was told this person likes WWE. So, Mike asked him “Who’s your favorite wrestler?” The guy shows him his t-shirt and Mike knew he was for real. The Mike asked him “What are you doing for the next WWE match?” The guy says, “I guess just watching it at home.” Mike said, “No, you’re coming to my house and we’ll watch the match and barbecue.” From that point on they have been friends.
As a family we have been blown away to find out how many true friends Mike had that we never knew about. He was still in touch with some of his childhood friends. The comments shared with us have shown us he truly made an impact in this world. His friends are heartbroken just as we are. He was so friendly and sociable and made friends wherever he went. He loved his dogs, Opie and Roscoe, who were always by his side and are lost without him just like we are.
As with any child there are good times and not so good times but the good times were so special that we have forgotten any bad times.
We were so blessed to have Michael in our life for 46 years.
If love could have kept him alive he’d still be here today.
We may not know why God took Michael at 46, but we know why he gave him to us 46 years ago. We are all better for having him in our life.