Michael W. Johnson

It has been said that a man's true wealth cannot be measured in silver and gold but only in richness that he brings to all of those around him. Mickey Johnson was a very wealthy man. Michael Walter Johnson was born on September 26, 1956 in New Milford, New Jersey to Otto and Helena Johnson. He quickly became known as Mickey, in honor of the great baseball legend Mickey Mantle, with whom he shared a great love for the game. Although Mickey grew up in New Jersey, it never truly felt like his home. After graduating from New Milford High School in 1974, he ventured out to Moscow, Idaho to be with his brother and friends. Shortly after his arrival, he settled in Troy, Idaho, where he lived out the rest of his life. Mickey took a job with Knoke Concrete in the late 1970's. He remained with the company for many years before taking another job with Central Pre-Mix as a mixer truck driver. He finished his hardworking career driving for Atlas Concrete where he was well known and respected throughout the Moscow-Pullman construction community. Mickey was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to camp, hike, and hunt but his true passion was always fishing. Many of his happiest moments were spent with a fly rod in hand on the waters of the Pacific Northwest. He took great pride in taking a Steelhead with a homemade fly or a spinning lure that he handcrafted. His love for fishing was shared with his family, friends, and numerous others he interacted with on the water. Athletics were a large part of Mickey's life, especially basketball, volleyball, golf, and his true love baseball. He spent countless hours in the Troy High School gymnasium proudly cheering on his daughters in their many sports endeavors. Mickey was a dedicated husband, father, and friend that cherished every precious moment being with his loved ones. He will always be remembered for his beautiful blue eyes and contagious smile that could light up a room. Mickey passed away peacefully from a suspected case of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) on April 10th in the comfort of his own home surrounded by his loving friends and family. He was preceded in death by his mother Helena, father Otto and brother, Edward. He is survived by his loving wife Kelly and his beautiful daughters Jessica, Lisa and Taylor, step daughters Leah McFarland and Kara Kuhl, sister and her husband Rita and Paul Gorman, and grandchildren Jasmyne, Jordyn, Riley, Kayla and Alex. A Memorial Service will be held at Short's Funeral Chapel at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday April 14, 2016. A covered dish dinner will follow at the Troy Lions Club. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mickey by check mailed to the Brain Support Network PO Box 7264, Menlo Park, California 94026 (www.brainsupportnetwork.org).