A Stockton family says the image of Michael Jackson appeared on his tree stump the day the King of Pop died...

Many people in the crowd who gathered to look at the stump Sunday afternoon saw the resemblance, but why would Michael Jackson appear instead of a religious figure -- or even any of the other celebrities who recently passed away?

"Because Michael Jackson was an icon to us," said one neighbor. "To Stockton, Michael Jackson meant more to us than Jesus, to some people. I think they're both about even."

Jackson did visit the city 20 years ago, following the Cleveland School fatal shootings.