Mikey is the brother I never had but always wanted. He was kind, hilarious, quick witted, creative, and the most social butterfly I’ve ever met. 

I’ll never forget how I met Mike- it was my first date with Justin. Imagine my surprise when I walk into the movie theaters to meet this new guy named Justin and he brings his best friend on our date! The first thing I saw was Mike’s giant hair and contagious grin. It was genuinely hilarious and so fitting for the next 7+ years. 

Throughout the years I have been lucky enough to know Mike I have seen his generous spirit in many capacities. He is the kind of man who would give you his last dollar and the shirt off his back if it made your day any better. His kindness knew no bounds. He brightened our home and lives for so many years, turning hard and stressful days into fun and memorable nights. We could always rely on Mike to come spend quality time with our family. He went to every baby shower, birthday party and movie night. 

My heart breaks for the memories we didn’t get to make, the song recommendations you would have continued to send me, our baby not getting to experience the love of Uncle Mike. Michael, you are so so loved. You will be so missed. We will honor you everyday we walk this earth with our words, actions, and choices. Thank you for bringing light and joy to my life. Thank you for being my husband’s best and oldest friend. Thank you for being you. There will never be another like you. I hope Tucker greeted you at those pearly gates, you always were his favorite.

Michael Johnson was more than a roommate — he was my brother. The kind of man whose presence filled a home, whose laughter carried through the walls, and whose loyalty made you feel safe just knowing he was there. He had a way of turning ordinary days into memories, whether we were debating politics late into the night, talking about his dream of going to Japan, or listening to stories from his time in the Army.
What made him truly unforgettable was his heart. He was the type of person who gave without hesitation — his time, his food, his advice, his loyalty. When I was struggling to feed myself, he didn’t think twice about handing me his own plate. When life felt heavy, he was the one who stood beside me. He showed up for people in a way that was rare, steady, and real.
We had been friends since high school, and through every chapter of life, he remained one of the closest people to me. He loved his mom deeply — anyone who knew him knew that. He carried that love with pride, and he talked about her with a warmth that said everything about the kind of son he was.
I’m going to miss the life lessons he dropped in casual conversation, the nights we stayed up arguing about the world, the days we played Splatoon, and watching him go head‑to‑head with my brothers in Super Smash Bros. I’ll miss hearing him teach me bits of Tagalog, laughing at his jokes, and seeing the way he could make any room feel lighter.
He leaves behind friends, family, and people whose lives are better because they knew him. My heart is broken, but I will carry his spirit, his humor, and his love with me for the rest of my life.
Rest easy, brother. You will always be loved, always be missed, and never forgotten.

Mike was more than a friend to us — he was family. He was like an uncle to my first daughter, a best friend to both me and my wife, and truly a brother to me.

No matter what season of life we were in, Mike was always there. When we started building our house, he was there every step of the way. Every birthday party, every New Year’s celebration, every Christmas, every holiday — Mike showed up with love, laughter, and his unforgettable presence.

He never had to be asked. He simply cared that deeply about the people in his life.

Words can’t fully express the gratitude and appreciation we have for the impact Mike had on our family. The memories, the laughs, the moments we shared with him will stay with us forever. Our lives are better because Mike was part of them, and we will carry his love and friendship with us always.

Mikey was a brother, a roommate, and the secret weapon behind Tribe Mafia.

The memories shared with him will be cherished forever.

One memory that will never be forgotten is from the spring semester of junior year in college, when Mikey gave money for a Greyhound bus ticket so a friend could get back to school. Even though it was his birthday and he was told not to do it, he insisted. On a day when everyone should have been giving to him, he was giving to someone else. That was the kind of person he was.

The Grammy debates were legendary. Hours would be spent arguing about whether the awards were rigged, and neither side was ever willing to back down. Those conversations became some of the best memories.

The long nights writing and recording music for TV shows will always be appreciated. His talent was something special. Those who worked with him often found themselves studying his process, trying to understand how he could make almost anything sound like a hit record.

It’s hard not to think about all the anime series he was waiting to see get new seasons. Hard not to think about the moments he’ll miss, including watching close friends reach major milestones like walking down the aisle.

But through all the hurt, there is comfort in knowing that Mikey is no longer suffering.

He was loved deeply and will be missed forever.

Love you forever, brother.

I’m going to miss our debates more than you know.

Whether it was music, life, or especially the Grammys, neither one of us was ever willing to back down. We could argue for hours about whether the awards were rigged, and somehow we always ended up right back where we started. Looking back, those conversations are some of my favorite memories.

You challenged me, made me laugh, and made every discussion feel important.

It’s hard to imagine a world where I can’t send you a text about some outrageous Grammy nomination or a crazy music take and know you’ll have an even stronger opinion waiting for me.

Thank you for every debate, every laugh, and every moment.

Love you, brother.

You were my brother, my roommate, and the secret weapon behind Tribe Mafia.

Some of my favorite memories are the long nights we spent writing and recording music together. I learned so much from watching you work. Honestly, I was always a student of your talent, trying to figure out how you could take almost anything and make it sound like a hit record.

I’m hurt knowing you won’t be here to see me and Zulia walk down the aisle. I’m mad for you because I know there are so many anime series you were waiting to see continue. There was still so much life left to experience.

But through all the heartbreak, I find some comfort knowing you’re finally at peace and no longer hurting.

Thank you for the music, the memories, and the brotherhood.

Mikey,

You were the kind of person who gave without ever asking for anything in return.

One memory I’ll carry forever is from my junior year of college. I was struggling to get back to school, and on your birthday of all days, you gave me money for a Greyhound ticket. I kept telling you no because it was supposed to be a day for people to celebrate you. But that’s who you were. Even when the spotlight should have been on you, you were focused on helping someone else.

That moment meant more to me than I ever told you. It showed me the size of your heart and the kind of friend you were.

Thank you for always looking out for me, brother. I’ll never forget it.

Love you forever.

Michael Johnson was more than a best friend — he was a brother. The kind of person who walked into a room and instantly made it brighter. Mike was the life of the party, the funniest guy in the room, and someone who always knew how to make people laugh, even on the hardest days.

What made Mike truly special was his heart. He always put everyone before himself. No matter what he was going through, he made sure the people around him were okay first. He loved deeply, cared endlessly, and showed up for the people he loved every single time.

Mike and I had been friends since high school. Through every stage of life, we stayed close. He was my best friend then, and he still is my best friend now. As I write this, there really are no words that can fully describe the friendship we shared. We were brothers in every sense of the word.

There was never a dull moment with Mike. Every memory with him carries laughter, stories, and moments that will stay with us forever. He had a way of making ordinary days unforgettable simply by being himself.

Michael leaves behind countless friends and loved ones whose lives are forever better because they knew him. Though our hearts are broken, we will carry his spirit, humor, and love with us always.

Rest easy, brother. You will always be loved, always be missed, and never forgotten.

OBITUARY

Michael Austin Johnson

January 3, 1992 – June 3, 2026

Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home & Cemetery

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