Denis Hale Johnson was born on July 1, 1949, in Munich, West Germany and died on May 24, 2017.

He was an American writer.

Johnson was best known for his short story collection Jesus’ Son (1992) and his novel Tree of Smoke (2007), which won the National Book Award for Fiction.

Johnson also wrote plays, poetry, and non-fiction.

At a younger age, Denis also lived in the Philippines, Japan, and the suburbs of Washington.

Johnson was twice divorced and lived with his third wife, Cindy Lee, in Phoenix, Arizona, and northern Idaho.

Johnson had three children, two of whom he homeschooled; in October 1997 he wrote an article for the website Salon in defense of homeschooling.

During most of his twenties, Johnson was addicted to drugs and alcohol and did not do much writing.

During 1978 he went back to his parents’ home in Scottsdale, Arizona, to sober up and find direction.

Johnson had stopped drinking alcohol in 1978 and quit recreational drugs in 1983.

Denis Johnsonpassed away at 67 years old.