Michael Wilson

Michael Lowther Wilson

November 9, 1959 – May 13, 2022

Michael was a gentle, spiritual soul of great intellectual curiosity who cared more about matters of the heart and mind than the accumulation of material wealth. He lived his faith through giving to others both in spiritual encouragement and by donating his time and goods. He was loving and loyal to family and friends. Despite the distance, he made the effort to travel to attend family reunions, holiday and graduation celebrations.

Michael was born in Seattle, WA to Dr. Michael Friend Wilson and Clare Schofield Wilson. As his father’s academic medical career progressed, Michael and his four sisters were raised in Lexington, KY; Morgantown, WV; Nottingham, England and Oklahoma City, OK.  Michael played Little League baseball, did competitive swimming, water polo and tennis which was a favorite family activity and enjoyed Boy Scouts and roaming the W.Va. hills with friends and the family’s two beagles. A highlight of his youth was travelling with his family in Europe before and during Dr. Wilson’s sabbatical at the University of Nottingham, England. When Michael brought in a baseball glove to school, he was asked at our all-British school if one had to have a large hand to play American baseball. He was a favorite of the British girls due to his charm and captivating smile. This was an attribute he had throughout his life.

Michael graduated from high school in 1978 from Casady School, Oklahoma City, OK and then studied and worked in New Orleans, LA attending a year at Tulane University. He held several jobs including as a waiter at the prestigious New Orleans Restaurant, Commander’s Palace. Michael studied Philosophy and Letters at the University of Oklahoma while working at natural food stores and his own landscaping business. He liked the Buddhist philosopher, Buddaghosa and the German philosopher, Rudolf Otto as all his life he was a student of Philosophy, even discussing them late in life with his nephew who studied Philosophy for his bachelor’s degree.

Michael was never hesitant to act upon his desires, following the Grateful Dead band around the U.S., living in Los Angeles and travelling many times to Mexico where he learned to speak Spanish well. He was an avid fan of Oklahoma Sooners college football and Oklahoma City Thunder NBA basketball.

Michael worked the steps of AA and became a faithful member of the Amma Satsang Centers in Norman and Oklahoma City, as an active volunteer for services and gatherings. He moved to Santa Fe, NM in 2000, living for three years in the Ashram at the Amma Center New Mexico in the mountains outside of Santa Fe. He tended the grounds, building trails and was a co-organizer of the parking when tens of thousands travelled to attend the spiritual gatherings when the Great Mother visited the Temple. He was a faithful follower of the Great Mother travelling in the U.S. as a volunteer for her retreats and to India to see her.

Michael had many skills in life and among his many occupations, he was a massage therapist, landscaper, grower, movie crew and actor extra, certified nursing assistant, plus worked at a rain barrel and a cheese wheel delivery business. He moved to the country, preferring that life to the city where he could care for his dogs, Carmelita and Carmello.

Michael’s parents, Clare Schofield Wilson and Dr. Michael Friend Wilson, preceded him in death. He is survived by his four sisters: Helen Horton Wilson of Farmington Hills, MI; Rebecca Wilson Parry (Dr. Charles) of Cape Town, South Africa; Elizabeth Schofield Wilson (late Stephen Neal Deutsch) of Edmond, OK and Sarah Anderson Wilson of Oklahoma City, OK and four nieces and nephews: Dr. Douglas Anderson Parry (Lara) of Stellenbosch, South Africa; Anna Charlotte Parry of Cape Town, South Africa; Rachel Elizabeth Deutsch (partner Ismael Pieter) of Los Angeles, CA and Michael Joseph Deutsch of Edmond, OK and one great-nephew, Benjamin James Parry of Stellenbosch, South Africa. He is also survived by step-mother Barbara Gannon Wilson of Hull, MA; aunt JoAn Keadle of Pittsburgh, PA, numerous cousins and second cousins and friends. 

Michael’s family is grateful to loving caregivers, Dan Rios and Jude Padilla, medical personnel and to David and Meara Ginsberg and others in the Santa Fe Amma Satsang community, all of who loved and cared for Michael during his final illnesses. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice in remembrance of Michael. A memorial service will be held July 31, 2:00 pm at the Amma Center New Mexico (Santa Fe) in the mountains outside of Santa Fe, NM. The address is: 48 Stone Cabin Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505. google map