Michael Johnson Obituary, Death; – The family of an Arizona man who went missing for several days in a national forest is describing his survival as nothing less than miraculous.

Rangers located Michael Johnson on Saturday afternoon in Walnut Canyon, situated in Navajo County.

Christy Day, a family friend of Johnson, remarked that she has always known him to be a passionate outdoorsman.

“He thrives in the outdoors more than he does indoors,” she stated.

She expressed that the family felt immense relief upon learning he was safe.

“Numerous prayers were offered, and he is undoubtedly a miracle, a modern-day miracle,” Day commented.

On August 27, Johnson set out for a ride in his side-by-side vehicle but failed to return home.

“He is 74 years old, has been living with Parkinson’s disease for 20 years, had been off his medication for three days, and lost his glasses,” Day explained.

Family, friends, search teams, and even members of the community who did not know Johnson came together to assist in the search for three days.

“It’s quite remarkable how the entire town united for a single cause,” Day noted.

Friends reported that Johnson managed to survive by building fires at night and taking refuge in his off-road vehicle.

Eventually, hunters discovered the vehicle on Saturday, with authorities locating him a mile to the north.

Day mentioned that Johnson was found lying unresponsive in a field.

“He would not have made it through another night there,” she remarked.

Johnson was in critical condition and is currently recuperating in the hospital.

“He is doing well, but he still faces a long recovery ahead,” Day stated.

Day also conveyed a message from Johnson’s wife.

“She wants everyone to know how wonderful the community in Heber-Overgaard was, how everyone came together, and she wishes to express her gratitude to all the search and rescue teams and the Sheriff’s Department for their efforts, and she wants to thank God,” she said.