Hello and welcome to the Michael David Xavier Johnson memorial page! Michael better known as Wookie to those of us who loved him was one of the special people that come into our lives and touch us in a special way. Somehow we know that we will never be the same after his visit, no matter how long or short it was. In his 36 years of life, he roamed the world, and at times delved into the shady side of life, and over came his demons when his daughter Babs was born in 1987. Sadly, his heart was broken when he lost the light of his life, when his daughter was killed in a car crash in 1995. But with the help of some wonderful people in South Bend, Indiana he was able to cope with his loss, but he was never able to get over it. It was a pain he carried with him and a memory he cried himself to sleep over for the rest of his life. How do I know? I was his wife for the past 5 years.

I met him when he was in Athens, Al

Why he ever went there, I have no idea, but we met and fell in love. Before long, he KNEW I was with child! Don't ask me how he knew...he just KNEW! Maybe it was the morning sickness that he shared with me? That is no lie, he got very sick!!

After we confirmed that our child was on the way, this man got on his knees and asked me to marry him. He also informed me we were keeping this baby! As it was a answered prayer for both of us, we did not know it then, but Lauren was the best Xmas gift we could have asked for!

Michael had know that he had M.S. since late 1995. And I could see that it was eating away at him. He started dropping weight and his memory got clouded. in 2000 he was forced into a wheelchair and because of mal nutrition his hair began to fall out. Within 3 months he lsot his trademark hair & beard. He kept saying he could no longer be a wookie. I told him, altho he did not look like a Wookie anymore, he still had the heart and soul of one!

May of 2001 we said good-bye to this gentle soul. He was awake and playing with his daughter, the next day was supposed to be a MRI. and he looked at me and said he was very tired, and asked me if we would be ok if he went to sleep for awhile? We kissed him and left the hospital, less than 2 hours later Michael was gone.

He left behind many memories, and good times. I loved him, not for the strength he gave to me, but the little things. How he loved to make me smile and laugh. And how protected I felt when he would make sure, when I went anyplace without him "Lock your car doors!"

He had many jobs in his short life. He was a combat medic in the Navy, He worked as a DJ, he worked at a homeless shelter and a drug & alchol detox and he was a taxi cab dispatcher.

He also spent his time in the shady part of life. He never went into detail with me, but I know he had done his time with alcohol & drug abuse.. And a little known fact, My Michael was a poet.

I've added some of his work here for you to enjoy.

Thank you for coming and sharing with us. God bless you for all you did or meant to Michael.

Shelley & Lauren Johnson