Who Was Noel J. Mickelson? The Brave First Wife of John Amos

When we think of famous actor John Amos, we often remember his strong roles in Good Times, Roots, or Coming to America. But behind his early success was a quiet, brave woman named Noel J. Mickelson. She wasn’t a celebrity. She didn’t seek fame. But her life was full of strength, art, and love.

Noel’s story is one that most people have never heard — but should. She was John Amos’ first wife, the mother of his two children, and someone who stood up for love during a time when interracial marriages were still illegal in many states. This article will tell her full story — from her small-town childhood to her inspiring final wish. Let’s begin.

Noel J. Mickelson Quick Bio

Early Life of Noel J. Mickelson

Noel J. Mickelson was born on March 18, 1944, in a small town called Estherville, Iowa. It was a quiet, peaceful place where everyone knew each other. She grew up surrounded by open land, nature, and fresh air. That calm setting helped shape her gentle spirit and deep love for animals — especially horses.

Her background was special. She came from Ashkenazi Jewish and Danish roots, with family ties going back to Eastern Europe. Even though not much is known about her parents or siblings, it’s clear she was raised with strong values, kindness, and creativity.

Noel was always curious and artistic. From a young age, she showed a strong interest in drawing, making things with her hands, and riding horses. These passions would stay with her for life.

How Noel Met John Amos

Noel met John Amos in the early 1960s at Colorado State University. She was studying fine arts, and John was playing college football while studying sociology. They came from very different worlds — she was a white Jewish girl from Iowa, and he was a Black athlete from Newark, New Jersey.

But love doesn’t care about backgrounds. It just happens. And that’s exactly what it did.

Their daughter Shannon Amos would later describe it as love at first sight. They were drawn to each other immediately. They laughed together, supported each other, and saw something in each other that no one else did. It didn’t matter to them that the world wasn’t ready for their kind of love.

A Love Story That Faced the Law

In 1965, Noel and John decided to get married. But their decision wasn’t simple or easy. At that time, interracial marriage was still illegal in 16 states. Yes, just because they were from different races, many states refused to recognize their love as legal.

Still, Noel and John went ahead. They didn’t wait for laws to catch up with them. They followed their hearts and tied the knot. It was a bold move. A brave one. They faced racism, judgment, and fear — but they chose love anyway.

Just two years later, in 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court made interracial marriage legal everywhere. That’s when their marriage was finally recognized nationwide. But Noel and John didn’t wait for that moment. They believed in each other first.

Shannon later said, “I was born a year before my parents would be recognized as a legal couple in 16 states.” That one sentence shows just how much courage her parents had.

Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos’ Marriage

Noel and John were married for 10 years, from 1965 to 1975. In that time, they built a family, faced many challenges, and supported each other’s dreams.

In the early years, they worked as social workers, helping others while trying to build their own lives. They later moved to Los Angeles when John started getting roles in TV and commercials. Noel supported him every step of the way.

John once said, “Being an artist herself, she understood my reluctance to accept the 9-to-5 world.” That’s the kind of support that helped him become the actor we know today. She saw his talent, believed in his dreams, and never held him back.

Still, life wasn’t easy. Being an interracial couple during the civil rights era came with danger. Shannon once shared that, as a child, a white man pointed a gun at her father during a stop in Arizona. That day changed her view of the world forever. Noel and John had to explain racism to their children much earlier than they wanted to.

Life as a Mother

Noel and John welcomed their first child, Shannon Amos, in 1966. Their son, Kelly Christopher “K.C.” Amos, was born in 1970. Noel raised them with warmth, creativity, and freedom.

The family lived in Sylmar, California, a peaceful area surrounded by nature. They even had horses, which Noel loved deeply. Shannon later shared how their mom encouraged them to feel, heal, and express. She never forced them into roles or labels — she gave them space to grow.

Both children followed creative paths. Shannon became a writer, producer, and wellness guide, and K.C. became a Grammy-nominated director and video editor. They both credit their mom for their creativity and strength. She gave them more than love — she gave them tools for life.

Noel J. Mickelson’s Talents and Career

Noel was never just a wife or mother. She had her own talents and passions that she followed with heart.

She was a skilled artist and craftswoman. She created things with her hands — from drawings to handcrafted objects. She also loved design, nature, and building beautiful spaces.

She was also a world-ranked equestrian, known for her endurance riding in the 1970s and 80s. Horses weren’t just a hobby — they were a part of her soul. She respected animals deeply and felt most at home in nature.

Noel also had a strong voice when it came to life values. She didn’t let gender roles define her. Shannon once said, “She taught me that women can do anything they set their minds to.” That belief stayed with both her children.

The End of Her Marriage with John Amos

After ten years of marriage, Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos decided to part ways in 1975. It wasn’t a loud or public breakup. But it was still a painful time, especially for Noel and their children.

Their daughter Shannon was only 9 years old when it happened. In later interviews, she shared that her mother went through a really hard time. Some reports even say that Noel had a nervous breakdown after the divorce. At one point, she may have filed for a restraining order, though the full details were never made public.

Even with the sadness, Noel stayed strong for her children. She didn’t blame or attack. She simply moved forward with quiet strength — just like she had lived all along.

Noel J. Mickelson’s Life After Divorce

After her divorce from John Amos, Noel J. Mickelson kept living life her way — peacefully and privately. She later remarried a man who worked as a special-effects engineer for Disney.

The two lived on a ranch in California, surrounded by horses, trees, and open space. It was exactly the kind of place that brought Noel peace. She continued to create art, ride horses, and live close to nature. She didn’t try to be in the spotlight. She didn’t do interviews. She just enjoyed her quiet life.

Her children later said that Noel was always calm, loving, and full of quiet wisdom. Even though her first marriage ended, she kept her kindness and creative heart.

Health Challenges That Changed Her Life

In the mid-1990s, Noel had a surgery — a simple hysterectomy — that sadly went very wrong. After the procedure, she suffered rare medical complications that left her blind and quadriplegic. She lost her ability to walk, see, and care for herself the way she used to.

It was a heartbreaking change for someone who loved to be active and independent. But Noel didn’t give up. Her second husband stayed by her side for nearly ten more years, taking care of her with love and patience.

After he passed away, her children — Shannon and K.C. — took care of her. They did everything they could to help their mom feel safe, loved, and supported. It wasn’t easy, but they never gave up on her.

Noel J. Mickelson’s Last Wish

In December 2016, Noel J. Mickelson passed away. She was surrounded by her family during her final moments. Before she died, she shared something with her daughter Shannon. She said her only regret was that she never got to travel and see the world.

So Shannon made her a promise.

In January 2017, Shannon began taking her mother’s ashes around the world, scattering them in different places. It was her way of letting her mom finally explore, feel free, and be at peace. Shannon shared parts of that journey online — posting photos, memories, and messages full of love.

It wasn’t just a goodbye. It was a gift. A way to keep Noel’s spirit moving and living through new places and memories.

How Her Children Remember Her

Even years after her passing, Noel’s children still speak about her with deep love. On social media, they often post pictures and sweet notes about their mom. They called her “Noni.”

In one post, K.C. Amos shared how their mom always made sure they had dinner by 6:00 p.m. every night. That little rule showed how she cared about routine, family time, and love in simple moments.

Shannon Amos has said her mom was her rock. She taught her how to feel, cry, and let go of pain. Noel called it “grief-letting,” helping Shannon understand that it’s okay to have emotions — and it’s okay to let them flow.

Their love for their mother is clear. It’s in every word, every photo, and every memory they choose to share.

Final Thoughts

So, who was Noel J. Mickelson?

She was more than just the first wife of a famous actor. She was a brave woman who married for love when the law was still against it. She was an artist, a horse rider, a mother, and a person who stayed kind and strong — even when life got hard.

She raised two amazing children, supported a rising star, and followed her heart in a time when many people were afraid to. Her story is quiet, but powerful. It reminds us that real strength isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it looks like artwork on a table, a horse ride at sunrise, or a promise kept after death.

In 2026, more people are finally learning about Noel J. Mickelson. And that’s a beautiful thing. Because her life matters. Her love matters. And her legacy will live on — not just through her children, but through everyone who hears her story and feels inspired.

(FAQs)

Did Noel J. Mickelson have an obituary?

No, there was no public obituary. Instead, her daughter Shannon gave her a personal goodbye by taking her ashes around the world, just like Noel had always dreamed.

What was Noel J. Mickelson’s background?

Noel was part Ashkenazi Jewish and part Danish. Her family roots came from Eastern Europe, which made her love story with John Amos even more unique back then.

How old was Noel J. Mickelson when she passed away?

She was born on March 18, 1944, and passed away in December 2016, at the age of 72.

How did Noel J. Mickelson die?

She became blind and paralyzed after a surgery went wrong in the 1990s. Her health slowly declined after that, and she passed away years later, surrounded by her family.

Did Noel J. Mickelson have any children?

Yes, she had two children with John Amos — Shannon Amos and K.C. Amos. Both of them are creative and still honor their mom’s memory today.

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