Richard Jay Mikkelsen Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Richard (Dick) Jay Mikkelsen, 88, passed peacefully on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Montgomery, Texas. Born August 20, 1933, in Gunnison, Colorado, Dick enjoyed an idyllic small-town childhood and returned to his beloved Colorado whenever he could. The youngest of three boys, he was a gifted athlete who played multiple sports in high school. Graduating from Gunnison High in 1951, Dick went on to play football for the University of Colorado, eventually returning to Gunnison to play for Western State where he was a member of the only undefeated football team (1954) in WSC history, and in 2003, was inducted into the Mountaineer Hall of Fame. After graduating from WSC, Dick joined the United States Marine Corps where he flew F-9’s in VMA 311 at MCAS El Toro, California. Dick enjoyed a long career in mortgage banking that started at State Farm and took he and his family from Colorado to Illinois and eventually to Texas, where he remained until his death. His love of Colorado never waned, and he and his wife, Dorothy, enjoyed many years at their summer home in Gunnison. Dick was a recreational pilot and took his plane on numerous adventures across the country. He loved skiing, golf, and travel. Most of all, he loved his family. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Meryle Mikkelsen, his brothers Jess and Louie, and sister-in-law, Marie. Dick is survived by his wife of 36 years, Dorothy Mikkelsen as well as his son John (Alisha), daughter Jean Sullivan (Mike), stepson John Talley (Jonathan Tran) stepdaughter Christy Hall (Dude), ten grandchildren, two great grandchildren, sister-in-law Sue Mikkelsen, first wife Lois Leofsky and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. He is also survived by the Gunnison boys, Lee, Leo and Glenny, all brothers in his heart. Dick’s life can best be summed up by this quote in his senior high school yearbook, when graduates were asked to finish the sentence “I will…” he did not say I will become a proud Marine, a successful businessman, a loyal husband or loving father. He simply answered “I will… if anyone else will” A Celebration of life will be held July 14, 2022, in Montgomery, Texas, with a gathering and burial in Gunnison, Colorado, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made in the form of contributions to Western Colorado University or the Western Colorado University Football Team, P. O. Box 1264 Gunnison, Colorado 81230, or via https://westernup.org, “Western Fund” or “Other fund”. You may leave written condolences to his family at www.shmfh.com “Lord, guard and guide the ones who fly, and those who on the ocean ply. Be with our troops upon the land, and all who for their country stand. Be with these guardians day and night, and may their trust be in thy might.” Author unknown.

Richard Jay Mikkelsen

August 20, 1933 - June 26, 2022