Michael Edward Johns

Im late, and very sad to hear about Michael's passing. I groomed his dog Ozo for about 5 years... maybe longer. He was always so nice to me. You can tell he was a great person. We always chatted for a bit when I went over.
Ill miss our interactions, I know he loved Ozo so much.

I met Michael during a very pivotal point in my life, at my first job out of college at EA.com. We had lunch frequently and he always ordered the exact same thing. When I asked him about it he said he knew it was something he liked, why take a chance and get something else? Couldn’t argue with that. We were one of the few that survived the mass layoffs when ea.com downsized and worked together a few more years until I left. He was always so damn funny and irreverent and saying inappropriate things with a huge smile. I was fortunate enough to catch up with him a few years ago and hear about his life. He talked so much about his kids and how proud he was of them, about how he had gotten divorced but was still close and friends with his ex and what a great mom she is. I was hoping we’d have a chance to catch up again. I have such fond memories and feelings of the man.

Been a long time. Worked with Mike at EA. Nothing but good memories of the man. So very sorry for your loss.

I remember MJ from our time together in EA. Though majority of my interactions with him were remote, I had the fortune of actually meeting him once in person when he came to Singapore.

Throughout it all, I remembered his kindness and generosity in guiding and helping me through certain aspects of my role - when dealing with analytics (esp since it was in its nascent stage within my region). His sense of humour definitely came through when we hung out in Singapore.

My condolences with his family and I appreciate having had the opportunity of having known and worked with MJ.

I met MJ at EA...he was one of the first people to introduce himself to me on my first day. Immediately, we connected and started our work relationship and friendship. At work, MJ was smart and creative in his role. He was also very funny and ALWAYS positive. His presence was infectious. Over time, I realized how genuine MJ was. What you saw was real. Fast forward, I was going through some rough times personally, and MJ reached out and was there to support me. Rarely do you find people with his sense of caring and loyalty. MJ was my Best Man at my wedding to Kim...could not have asked a better person. I am forever indebted to MJ for his support during my trying times. I am heartbroken that he is gone. Our last conversation was late November...he was saying how proud he was of Elijah and Cianna. We spoke about life, work and the good times we've enjoyed. I miss you, MJ.

Oh my goodness I’ve lost a great friend. I met Michael when we were in class at Graham junior high school and we were both in the seventh grade. He was sitting behind me. And he was such a nice, friendly, cute boy. We went from seventh grade through high school together and remain friends. After high school I went to college and he continued his journey with his wisdom. No matter how much time passed between us whenever we saw each other it was like two old friends, a.k.a. brother and sister connecting, and we picked up right where we left off. Michael was a kind, genuine, cute, loving and kind of a person with a soul that would do anything for someone he cared about. The world has lost a great man in Michael John’s. And I remember him when he was Michael Boatwright. Even though I have not seen him in about nine years, I still think of him as being someone that I could reach out to him in time of the trouble and he would be there to help me out. A very fine memory of him as when we were in high school and he dressed up as prints and did a print gift. He killed it. And left a smile on everybody’s face, especially those of us who were prints fans, and fanatics.May he rest in peace along with his brother Cecil because I know one day I will see him again.

I met Michael in 1999 at Capoeira of San Jose.
My son Anthony was 10 years old and taking Capoeira there, and Michael was one of the higher belts. He would help Anthony during class, joke with him, and just be really kind to him. He made him feel comfortable and included.

He’d say hello to me before and after class… just small talk at first.

One day, Anthony said, “Mom, I have the perfect guy for you. It’s him.” We both laughed… but he wasn’t wrong.

For a little while we flirted back and forth, and eventually Michael got the nerve to ask me to a picnic the Capoeira school was having. We sat together on the grass and really talked for the first time. I remember thinking how funny he was.

The thing about Michael was,
you never knew if he was serious or joking, because he said everything with the straightest face.

At that picnic, he told me he was an ambassador for Turkey.
And I believed him. I was so naive.

I went home and told my mom I met this amazing man who was an ambassador for Turkey. Of course, later I found out that was completely made up. That was Michael. He loved a good joke. Humor came so naturally to him.

We dated about six months, and then we ran off to Vegas and got married, just the two of us.

When we got married, we hadn’t planned on having more children. I had Anthony. He had Cianna. We were in our early 30s and thought we’d just enjoy our kids and maybe do some traveling.

But a few years later, that baby itch came. We talked about everything, every scenario, and we decided to have a baby. And I am so grateful that we had Elijah.

Michael was an incredible father. He loved his kids deeply. He was proud of them. He wanted them to feel accepted and supported, always.

Michael… was probably the pickiest eater I’ve ever known.
I used to tease him that he ate like a five year old. If something had too many ingredients or looked “complicated,” he was not interested. He liked what he liked. But he loved P.F. Chang’s. (back when P.F. Chang’s was good) We went there so often that the entire staff, from the waiters to the manager to even the busboys, became our friends. They knew us by name. They knew the kids. We probably went several times a week. Every birthday, every special occasion, we celebrated there. That place felt like an extension of our home because of how much he loved it. And because of how often we were there.

One of my favorite memories is being in the grocery store checkout line when he suddenly started arguing with me in a completely made-up language. He was acting so serious and I had no idea how to respond. The cashier was staring at us with her eyes wide open.

When we walked out of the store, we were laughing so hard. That was Michael. He could turn an ordinary moment into something unforgettable.

Some of my very favorite times with Michael were going to Prince concerts.

Prince was our favorite artist. If he was in town, we were there. If he played multiple nights, we went multiple nights. I honestly couldn’t even tell you how many concerts we went to because it was that many. Michael always made sure we had the best seats! Front row, second row, just a few rows back. We loved the music, the energy, everything about it. Those nights were electric. They were joyful. They were ours. Those are memories I will carry with me forever. And every time I hear Prince, I’ll think of him.

After 10 years of marriage, we started to drift apart and decided divorce was the healthiest option for us. There were some shaky moments at first, but we always co-parented beautifully.
And after a couple of years, we became good friends again.

Up until the day he passed, Michael was one of my very best friends. If I was struggling with anxiety, I could call him and he would talk me through it. We communicated about Elijah openly and respectfully. We constantly sent each other videos of new singers we’d discovered, or a new song. He made parenting easier because we were a team when it came to our son.

I’m going to miss him, not just as Elijah’s father… but as my friend.

I will always be grateful that we built a family together, that we shared laughter, music, meals, and memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I worked with Michael at E.A. After all these years I still remember his great sense of humor and smart skills. I’m so sorry to hear about his passing. Michael had a natural charm and was always interested how things were across the pond. His personality truly crossed borders. My condolances to his family and friends. Rest in peace MJ….

I'm heartbroken to hear about this. I was a co-worker of Mike's for a time at EA. He was an endlessly curious, dedicated, and reliable colleague who I was always happy to work with. He had a sense of humor that was honest and effortless and which had a way of lightening the mood even in the most intense or challenging situations. My heart goes out to his family and close friends... he will be truly missed.

I wanted to take a moment to share how much I appreciated working with MJ.
Although we worked together for about a year, MJ left a very strong impression on me. He was consistently one of the most helpful, friendly, personable, knowledgeable, and hard working people on the team. His willingness to support others and his positive attitude truly stood out.
What makes this even more meaningful is that we stayed in touch even after we stopped working together—despite we never met in person. That speaks volumes about the kind of professional and person MJ was.
Thank you for everything, MJ you will be always in my memory and my heart

So sorry to hear this. My time at EA Sports with MJ was relatively short, but he made a big and lasting impression. Funny, humble, calm under pressure — just a truly great colleague.

My heartfelt condolences to MJ’s family and friends.

Michael,

Where do I begin? I’ve been trying for the last few days to find the words to express how much this has hurt my heart. it’s so crazy to think that over 40 years ago when we met at Wendy’s in Sunnyvale because you would come every day through the drive-through just to say hi until you finally had the nerve to ask me for my phone number. You were my first boyfriend, spending four years together, and creating so many memories has truly impacted my life forever. There was definitely never a dull moment with you.

You were the first person to introduce me to Prince, and to this day he is and always will be my favorite. I’ll never forget all the times we would go driving and just sit and listen to his music for hours. You showed me so many amazing things and places, and for that I will forever be grateful.💜

My parents, my brother, and our whole family loved you so much. You truly did everything to make me happy and they were so grateful for that.. For the last 40 years you have always been an amazing friend still never forgetting a birthday, or a holiday. I am truly going to miss our conversations and your crazy dream stories.

I know you had so many people waiting for you when you arrived your beautiful mom, my parents, your brother, and so many others who have passed. That brings me comfort.

Thank you for being you, and for all the amazing moments and memories. I will truly miss you, now and always.

Xo,
Chops

I was shocked by your sudden departure, and yet the memories feel so alive.

You made my early days at EA so much easier. I still laugh thinking about all the jokes about your “HR-violating” language. Elijah’s laugh — “everybody watches me and my sidekick” — still echoes in my backyard. And I’ll never forget the day my son Mark fell asleep on your shoulder.

At YouSendIt, people used to joke that our conversations sounded like a brother and sister talking. That always felt right. You had such a gift for staying in touch and bringing people together.

Rest in peace. You will be deeply missed.

I remember driving with my girlfriend to my mom’s house one afternoon. She noticed a guy in an all-black baseball cap driving a gray Saturn right behind us. We got off the freeway, he got off the freeway. We changed lanes, he changed lanes. We turned left, he turned left.

“OMG,” she said, “this guy is totally following us.”

We parked at my mom’s place, and he parked right behind us. Oh shit, this guy wants to jack us, I thought. We got out of the car and hurried up to my mom’s porch. Suddenly, I heard him laughing behind us. My girlfriend and I turned toward him, all nervous, and he said, “I’m here to see Nivia! hahaha!”

My heart stopped racing. He was just there to see my sister!

That’s how I met Michael. Comedy from the very start.

Several months later, in 1999, he got me a job working with him at a startup in Mountain View. Working there with Michael will always be special to me. We literally had no bad days. Our daily life for a couple years usually started with work, video games, lunch, video games, maybe more work, nerf gun wars, music, and sometimes dinner. There was occasional pelvic thrusting with a long wiffle-ball bat. Things only Michael could get away with.

Michael, I can’t imagine where I’d be today if our paths hadn’t crossed. Having you in my life was like having a cheat code in a game you are forced to play. I’m a better person because of you, with a much better sense of humor.

Oh yeah, one time we were in a crowded elevator with about five strangers on our way up to the Cheesecake Factory in SF. It was completely quiet. Michael looked at me and started speaking in a made-up language as if he were asking me a question. Everyone turned and waited for my response. Needless to say, I froze. I was not at Michael’s level when it came to elevator improv. lol

I love and miss you, dude. Peace.

Although my time working with MJ was short, reading these messages has confirmed all my impressions of him. He had an extraordinary ability to form friendships and a profound love for his family. He showed me that every encounter is an opportunity to learn and to share a part of yourself. This is why his memory will endure.

To Ciánna, Elijah, and everyone who knew him, I offer my deepest condolences. I am thankful for our friendship and will miss our talks.

Crazy, I don't even remember how we met.
But the memories we created with all the crazy stuff we used get to get into, the laughs, the talks, will never be forgotten.
You've always been a brother to me, and I love you Mike.
Rest well, My friend...

The world just lost one of the best.

MJ - although we met through work, you've always been more of an amazing friend than a colleague. We joked about being bald-headed brothers from different mothers! Even after 15 years, you always made an effort to keep in touch during holidays or if something reminded you of me or even my sister, Dorene. You always asked about our family's. Sent your well wishes. You always placed others before yourself.

Your laugh alone was enough to make others laugh. Unmistakable. Energetic. Super intelligent. Wise beyond your years. You're that person that everyone loved to be around. Always outgoing & approachable. You never had an agenda - other than to be a great person to others and in return you made others better.

How proud of Anthony, Ciánna & Elijah you've always been, helping me in my early days of being a new Father. You made me look forward to proud father moments. I feel for them and the many proud moments they have yet to have. I know you'll always be watching and cheering them on.

My heartfelt best wishes go to your loved ones. You'll always be missed. Thank you for all the memories, laughs and now tears. Rest easy, MJ. I love you.

Michael I wasn’t ready for your departure ,Definitely gonna miss all the fun times that we shared growing up together hanging out in Mountain View family get togethers and the times we had a Great America etc. All of the reminiscing today over all the old-school songs that we remembered from when we grew up (Mothers Disco)(Stargaze)(Phase 3) by sending a text daily to each other resting in power cousin I love you. 😞

The good Lord got an angel that everyone on earth will miss

I met Michael 20+ years ago always very positive and polite …I babysat his son Elijah for couple years amazing dad friend family guy …always full of knowledge to share .. upstanding guy will be dearly missed ..our heart is broken …prayers for his family ❤️

Michael, you were the radiant sunshine in all of our lives, blessed & honored to have you as my forever bro in-law. The news is still so difficult to accept, our hearts are in pieces and will be missing you until we meet again. Thank you for being one of the most loving and supportive father/uncle roles to Cristian, for that solely my heart is forever indebted to you. You became instant family the moment you came into our lives. Thank you for making even the heaviest moments lighter with your optimism and endless humor. You had that magical gift of making any uncomfortable moment into something hysterical. Cianna, Elijah, & Anthony…sending you warm hugs and love during this most difficult time. Know he lives on in each of you.
Love you with all of our heart & soul.

I met Michael at Mountain View High School a cool cat .funny recollection after high school was doing the club scene where I'd often run into mike.it was Halloween I had a mask on but I must have had a distinct mustache bcuz Mike said Lauer ,I know that's you .I said how? from behind the mask ,he said your mustache is always a big giveaway .Say Mike this is our temporary home .Wexwill all rejoice in Heaven on Glorious day until then my Brother stay Cool as you always were with me 🙏 To God be The Glory .

Michael Johns was a co-worker, a mentor, and most of all, a great and dear friend. I owe my career to MJ. I still remember it like it was yesterday. When I was initially a contractor at EA, I was just walking around the office when I crossed paths with him. In typical MJ fashion, he instinctively introduced himself to me, and we just hit it off right away. When a position opened up within his group, I reached out to him, and he helped connect me to the hiring manager right away. With that, I had the fortune of working directly with MJ for 4 great, fun, and hilarious years … years I will never forget because of him. We used to play made up games like Fist Bump, hacky sack with beach balls in the middle of the hallway, and have Nerf gun battles spontaneously. I sat across from him, and he would randomly start singing out loud or dance in his cubicle. He also was so intelligent and knowledgeable, but more importantly, so approachable and so willing to help. I learned so much from him.

After I left EA about 15 years, we still kept in contact yet we still talk and laugh like we never left. MJ always made time to reach out and talk for hours about random things. He would text the most ridiculous things, and I could imagine him laughing with his infectious laugh. He will be dearly missed and the world will be worse place without him. Thank you MJ for everything! You were loved by many because you had so much love to share. Rest in peace.

Michael,

We first met in 2012/13 when you and I mom started dating and I remember we went to Lawry's and I literally commented how you looked like Sinbad. Little did I know that the course of your relationship with her that you'd become an additional father figure, friend and source of joy in my life.

Over the next 14 years, you'd see me graduate from UCI, visited me when I studied abroad in Madrid and rooted me on when I sailed down the Amazon River, start and complete my masters at CSUF, support me moving to San Francisco on my own, served as a beacon of light as I got sober (I'm 7+ years clean now), watched me build my career in public health and watched me make the decision to leave it after a painful layoff, commiserated with me over the shitty job market, watched from afar as I embarked on a life-changing solo in Southeast Asia and continued to provide your support as I went back to school to become a psychotherapist. Along this path, you were there for every new relationship and heartbreak, often offering me the space to vent and advice that I needed. I cannot simply think about the formative adult years of my life without thinking of you.

I remember the day when your relationship with my mom ended, how you called me to let me know what was happening and how you hoped to retain a relationship with me. Michael, as I said on that day, you deserved the world and, as an adult and being my own person, I'd absolutely love to continue our relationship. Though it was a transition, I was so happy that we could become genuine friends over these last few years. I'm going to miss your jokes, random texts and voicemails checking in with me. No one called me "chaddy cakes" anymore except you and I'm going to miss that dearly too.

As I'm writing this now, I'm thinking of our last text messages together in December 2025 and how I let you know that I'd be in Vegas in May 2026 and how I wanted to link up. My heart breaks to know that won't be happening anymore. Honestly, thank you for making time for me even when you had reason to not too. I have always told folks that I had the coolest "step dad that became my friend" and how you represented what it meant to be a present, loving adult figure in my life. You were always interested in every facet of my life wanted to know everything I was up to. With all of my heart, thank you for truly seeing me for who I was and who I was to become.

I never told you this but when I got sober in September 2018, you served as a role model for me. I always admired how you could be out and not have to drink and, yet, you could talk to anybody, dance up a storm and just set the vibe. During some of the darkest periods of my life, I told myself that if "Michael could do it, so could I." You literally served as a possibility model for me when I didn't have anyone – there was literally no examples of other 26 years old going sober at that time or people I could look up to. Just know that my continued sobriety now will be in honor of you, my friend.

Michael, I will miss you so much. My life is a million times better for having known you and I am forever grateful for our time together. Your love and friendship have helped me heal on such a profound level and I look forward to the day where we can finally link up again. It's an understatement to say that you have indelibly changed my life but you truly have.

Until then, rest easy. Just know that you'll always be in my heart.

Love you.

- Chad

May you rest with our Father in Heaven Brother Michael. I'm praying for everyone that's in mourning during this time. Gone too soon and that's a fact. Righteousness is in the Kingdom of Heaven. You'll be missed! 🙏

Dear Uncle Mike,

As a young child, I have so many memories that bring a smile to my face—like going to the EA Sports facilities or opening presents on Christmas. Even then, at the age of 7 or 10, I knew where those exciting games came from. I think back to how you and my dad always made sure Cianna and I spent time together growing up. From celebrating her birthday at Pump It Up as little kids to visiting your house and seeing your amazing setup, I could see how much you loved your computer. The laughs, the jokes—you always had a way of making me laugh, even as a child, because your laughter was so contagious.

As an adult, I treasure the memories of you visiting us for dinner in San Jose or us stopping by your place before you moved. I remember the times when I spent hours playing games with Elijah and soaking up the joy of being surrounded by family.

Uncle, I wish I could call you and hear your voice one more time. While it’s been a while since I heard that infectious laugh of yours, it still echoes in my mind as vividly as ever. I know you’re up there with Popi and Uncle Cecil, looking down on us with the biggest, brightest smile. I love you with all my heart and pray for the day we meet again, so I can feel your embrace once more. I love you.

Your nephew, Deion Michael Johns


( this photo is you dunking on me at Ciannas birthday at pump it up )

When I first met Michael Johns, I am a very introverted person. But the moment I met MJ in person, I could immediately tell he was one of a kind. He welcomed me with a warm smile and a joke at the San Ramon office. Instantly, I lowered my guard. From that day on, I became one of the many people fortunate enough to call MJ a friend — and I am truly honored to be one.

MJ was genuine, kind, and deeply caring — on top of every other quality you could ever hope to find in a good person. He didn’t just talk about living life fully; he embodied it. Thank you for the good chats, the texts, and the many laughs — even during 2024, which wasn’t the easiest time for either of us.

People say we live on as long as we remain in the hearts and memories of others. MJ will live on in mine. He taught me to live fully and to enjoy the moment — because the “present” truly is a gift.

Thank you, MJ.
You will always have a place in my heart, and I will carry your lesson of joy and presence with me every day.

“Michael wasn’t just someone I talked to — he was someone who showed up. He was there in the good times, the hard times, and all the ordinary days in between.
I’m going to miss his laugh, his advice, and just knowing he was a phone call away.
I’m grateful for every memory we made. I’ll carry him with me for the rest of my life.”

With out a doubt, Michael , whom married my sister, became my brother and brought us a niece .. equally beautiful and funny straight from the Johns apple tree .
I thank God for the life , albeit to short , but “ a candle that burns that bright , burns half as long “
May he rest in peace with the hope that we meet again someday in Heaven..God Willing 🫡