By 1965, interracial marriage had been made illegal in at least 16 states, yet Noel J. Mickelson and actor John Amos chose love over law. Their union defied societal norms until the Supreme Court overturned such prohibitions in 1967. Consequently, Noel Mickelson became more than just John Amos wife—she was an accomplished artist, craftswoman, and equestrian whose creative legacy deserves recognition. This Noel J. Mickelson biography explores her early life, the interracial love story that challenged legal boundaries, and her professional achievements beyond marriage. Specifically, readers will discover how she balanced creativity, discipline, and compassion while building a meaningful life during one of America’s most turbulent social periods.
Who Was Noel J. Mickelson: Early Life and Background
Noel Jean Mickelson was born on August 22, 1943, in Jackson County, Minnesota, to parents Wilbur B. Mickelson and Dorothy J. Tims. Records show she was incorrectly listed as male in the 1950 census. Some sources cite Estherville, Iowa, as her birthplace, though official documentation points to Minnesota.
Her daughter Shannon Amos later confirmed that Noel’s heritage included both Danish and Ashkenazi Jewish roots. This Eastern European ancestry shaped her cultural identity and influenced her worldview throughout her life.
Prior to meeting John Amos, Noel developed passions that would define her career. She spent childhood years immersed in creative pursuits like painting and woodworking while simultaneously building skills as an equestrian. These early activities taught her discipline, patience, and problem-solving abilities that transferred directly into her artistic work.
The Mickelson family emphasized education, independence, and hard work. Growing up in rural Minnesota, Noel formed a deep connection with nature and animals, particularly horses. This farm upbringing fostered both her adventurous spirit and practical skills.
She eventually attended Colorado State University, where she studied fine arts and continued developing as an artist and thinker. The university experience refined her creative abilities while expanding her intellectual horizons beyond the Midwest landscape that had nurtured her formative years.
The Interracial Love Story That Defied the Law
At Colorado State University, Noel Mickelson encountered John Amos while he played football and studied sociology. Shannon Amos later described their connection as love at first sight. He came from Newark, New Jersey, with Ghanaian ancestry, while she arrived from Iowa with Danish and Ashkenazi Jewish roots. Their backgrounds couldn’t have been more different, yet sparks flew between them.
The couple married in 1965, two years before the Supreme Court’s landmark Loving v. Virginia decision legalized interracial marriage nationwide[43]. At that time, their union remained illegal in over 16 states. Shannon reflected on this period, noting she was born in 1966, a year before her parents would be recognized as a legal couple in those states. Their courage to marry despite legal prohibitions demonstrated remarkable conviction during the civil rights movement.
After graduation, Noel and John relocated to New Jersey, where both worked as social workers. Being an artist herself, Noel understood John’s reluctance to accept conventional employment and supported his dream to play professional football. When he eventually pursued acting, she stood by him through the transition.
The family moved to Los Angeles as John’s television career gained momentum, settling in Sylmar. Their son K.C. arrived in 1970. Noel skillfully rode horses on their property, creating a unique environment for their children. However, the marriage ended in 1975 after a decade together.
Noel J. Mickelson Biography: Her Life Beyond Being John Amos Wife
Noel Mickelson possessed talents that extended far beyond her role as a celebrity spouse. Her artistic work spanned painting, furniture making, and various crafts that reflected her patience and meticulous attention to detail. Each piece she created served as both functional art and emotional expression, transforming the spaces where she lived and worked.
Her equestrian achievements earned her recognition as a world-ranked endurance rider. K.C. once praised his mother as the “best endurance rider this side of the Mississippi”. Shannon described her as a “renaissance woman” who refused to let traditional gender roles define her capabilities. She taught her daughter that women could accomplish anything they set their minds to.
After the 1975 divorce, Noel remarried a Disney special-effects engineer and relocated to a California ranch where she continued pursuing her passions. However, medical complications during a hysterectomy resulted in blindness and quadriplegia. Her second husband provided care until his death around 2005.
Noel J. Mickelson died in December 2016 at age 72. When Shannon asked about regrets, her mother mentioned only not traveling the world. Shannon honored this wish by scattering her ashes globally, starting in January 2017.
Conclusion
Noel J. Mickelson’s story reveals a woman who defied legal boundaries, gender expectations, and physical limitations throughout her life. Important to realize, she built a legacy that extended far beyond her marriage to a famous actor. Her achievements as an artist, equestrian, and mother demonstrate that true courage means choosing authenticity over conformity. Shannon’s decision to scatter her mother’s ashes worldwide finally fulfilled Noel’s unrealized dream, ensuring her adventurous spirit continues traveling long after her passing.
FAQs
Q1. How did Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos meet?
They met while both were students at Colorado State University. John was playing football and studying sociology, while Noel was pursuing fine arts. Their connection was described as love at first sight, and they married in 1965.
Q2. When did Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos get married, and why was it significant?
They married in 1965, which was two years before the Supreme Court’s Loving v. Virginia decision legalized interracial marriage nationwide. At the time of their wedding, interracial marriage was still illegal in over 16 states, making their union a courageous act during the civil rights movement.
Q3. What were Noel J. Mickelson’s professional accomplishments?
Noel was a talented artist and craftswoman who worked in painting, furniture making, and various crafts. She was also a world-ranked equestrian endurance rider, earning recognition for her exceptional riding skills. Her children described her as a “renaissance woman” who excelled in multiple disciplines.
Q4. What was Noel J. Mickelson’s ethnic background?
Noel had Danish and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, with Eastern European ancestry that shaped her cultural identity. She was born in Jackson County, Minnesota, on August 22, 1943, to parents Wilbur B. Mickelson and Dorothy J. Tims.
Q5. When did Noel J. Mickelson pass away and what happened to her remains?
Noel J. Mickelson died in December 2016 at the age of 72. Her daughter Shannon honored her mother’s only regret—not traveling the world—by scattering her ashes globally, beginning in January 2017, allowing her adventurous spirit to finally see the world.