Legendary California skateboarder Marc Johnson died at the age of 49, according to his close friend and fellow skateboarder, Louie Barletta.
Barletta shared a lengthy message on Thrasher Magazine’s Instagram account Wednesday.
“As I write this, the reality still hasn’t fully set in,” Barletta wrote.
“It was less than a month ago that Marc came to San Jose to hang out. He was sober, healthy, and full of life. We had a blast reminiscing about the old days. He seemed genuinely excited about the future.”
Johnson’s inventive approach to skating and connections to San Jose were a significant part of regional skating, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.
Thrasher Magazine named Johnson as Skateboarder of the Year in 2007. Johnson was well known in the San Jose skating scene. Skateboarders studied his technical skill and the tricks he landed with precision, and looked up to Johnson as an inspirational, influential figure.
Johnson’s cause of death was not disclosed.
The talented skateboarder struggled with addiction and candidly discussed his efforts to overcome alcoholism, according to TMZ.
Barletta’s statement went on to say Johnson handed him an envelope during his last visit.
“Inside was a three-page list of his hopes and dreams for the future. Never in a million years did I imagine that less than a month later, he would be gone,” he wrote.
“I met Marc when he was 17. I watched him achieve all his skateboard dreams, and I sat next to him at the ‘Away Days’ premiere—only to later watch his career fall apart.”
The emotional message continued, “I still don’t understand why my friend is gone at 49 years old. I don’t know why he chose to come visit me. Was there some bigger purpose to it, or was he looking for closure?”
Barletta shared a personal message about his friend.
“Marc was a genius and a tortured soul,” he wrote on social media.
“He told me he wanted to be remembered for his skateboarding, not for his failures or shortcomings.”
“He was just a poor kid from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who grew up in a trailer at the end of a dirt road. Yet he made it out, traveled the world, and touched so many lives.”
Barletta paid tribute to his friend’s talents.
“He will live on through the video parts that nobody can recreate. He gave opportunities to people who might never have had a chance otherwise,” he said.
“Without a shadow of a doubt, Marc Johnson was the single most influential person in my life. Everything he did was art. He was endlessly creative and always tried to elevate his friends and everyone around him.” (RELATED: Jazz Music Icon Sonny Rollins Dead At 95)
Crediting Johnson once more, Barletta said, “He opened doors for guys like me and Jerry, and single-handedly put San Jose back on the map. Marc had the golden touch—whether it was on a skateboard, creating brands, or developing ad campaigns.”
He concluded his message by writing, “He was one of the most talented and creative people to ever step on or off a skateboard.”