The unexpected death of Michael Wilson has left a big void in the Cuyama Valley, where is remembered as a beloved teacher and coach, and a man whose trips to the store netted him new friends.
Wilson, 35, of Bakersfield died Jan. 31 en route to a Southern California hospital for advanced treatment.
“Michael’s death was a huge loss to the students, staff, and Cuyama community,” said Amy Sullivan, who teaches first and second grades at Cuyama Elementary School. “Michael had a big personality and did a lot for the students and the community.
“Michael was not just a coworker to his colleagues, but more like family. Most of the staff have known him since he was a child, so this is a devastating loss for everyone.”
Wilson was born in Santa Maria and grew up in the Cuyama Valley, attending schools there where his mother still teaches and his late father had served as principal.
The seventh-grade teacher also volunteered his time to provide sports for the community, and developed a K-8 physical education program the students loved.
“Michael was the type of coworker who was always available to help with technology issues or anything else you needed. He gave of his time freely and was well loved by everyone on the campus,” Sullivan said.
Wilson coached the boys and girls basketball teams at Cuyama Valley High School, one of many ways he educated and mentored youths, Athletic Director Charlie Bosma told Noozhawk.
“His dedication and enthusiasm as a teacher and coach for junior high and high school students was undeniable, relentless, and contagious,” Bosma added. “Mike has carried on the Wilson family legacy of selflessly serving our community for more than a decade.
“No statement of gratitude would adequately convey our appreciation, but know we are forever grateful,” added Bosma, who also grew up in the Cuyama Valley.
Coaching made sense for Wilson, a fan of his former schools such as Cuyama, California State University, Bakersfield, and Purdue University, plus the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Cowboys.
“He was very intense. He loved sports, and all of our neighbors know he loved sports. He’s just very loud. He’s just very social, very friendly,” his wife Krista Wilson said. “We go to the grocery store and he ends up making a friend or helping someone do something. He’s very present everywhere he goes
“It just feels really empty without him,” she added.
Wilson tested positive for COVID-19 in December, but recovered. In mid-January, he had pneumonia leading to urgent care visits and different antibiotics before he ended up in the hospital.
Wilson lived in Bakersfield with his wife and young daughter, but he kept close tied to the Cuyama Valley beyond teaching.
“He just loved Cuyama,” she said.
Distance learning and social distancing didn’t stop him from sharing his love of sports with youths.
His wife recalled him provided basketball tips via Zoom to his niece and Cuyama students.
“He was still so dedicated to spending time for the kids,” she said. “He really enjoyed it.”
A celebration of life is planned for 2 p.m. Feb. 20. Links to either the Zoom or YouTube broadcasts can be obtained by emailing celebratingmikewilson@gmail.com.
Survivors include his wife seven years, Krista; 2-year-old daughter Maybelle; his mother, Angela Wilson of New Cuyama; his brother, Brian Wilson; his sister, Megan “Bobbi” Wilson; his paternal grandmother, Betty Wilson; and his maternal grandmother, Joetta Lyons.
Wilson was preceded in death by his father, Cuyama Valley High School Principal Donald Wilson, who died in 2006 in a collision on Highway 166, and grandfather U.S. Wilson, who worked for the Cuyama Community Services District.
A GoFundMe page created to help his wife and daughter had raised nearly $11,000 as of Monday night.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the newly renamed Donald and Michael Grant Wilson scholarship, 2300 Highway 166, New Cuyama, California 93254.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.