Noel J. Mickelson: The Life of John Amos’s First Wife

When we think of famous people, we often focus on their public lives—the movies, the music, the awards. But behind every public figure, there’s a private life filled with family, love, and personal stories. Noel J. Mickelson is one of those people. She’s known to many as the first wife of the late, great actor John Amos, a man beloved for his roles as James Evans Sr. on Good Times and Kunta Kinte on Roots. Yet, Noel’s own life is a remarkable story of love, art, and resilience.

Quick Bio

A Love Story That Challenged the Times

Noel Jean Mickelson was born on August 22, 1943, in Jackson County, Minnesota. Not a lot is publicly known about her early life, but we know she was an artist and had a love for horses, which she was quite skilled at riding. Her life took a significant turn when she met a young John Amos at Colorado State University.

Their meeting sparked a love story that was beautiful but also faced the challenges of the era. They got married in 1965, at a time when interracial marriages were still illegal in many states across the U.S. Their daughter, Shannon Amos, shared on social media that her parents’ love was “love at first sight.” She also mentioned that as a child, she “didn’t know my parents were different colors. I only saw them as my parents the two people who loved me. All I knew was their love.” This shows the strength of their bond and their focus on family despite what was happening in the world around them.

Noel’s background, described by her daughter as being of “Danish & Ashkenazi Jewish” descent, and John’s, as a Black man, made their relationship a powerful statement about love conquering prejudice. They proved that love knows no color or background. Their story is a reminder of the progress made and the courage it took to stand together.

Building a Family and Chasing Dreams

After they were married, Noel and John moved to New Jersey, where John was from. They both worked as social workers for a time, a shared career that speaks to their compassionate nature. Noel was a great supporter of John’s dreams. John Amos once told The Hollywood Reporter that Noel, being an artist herself, understood his desire to avoid a “9-to-5 world.” She encouraged his passion for football and later, his move into the entertainment industry.

When John decided to pursue acting, the family which by then included their daughter Shannon relocated to Los Angeles. This was a big change, and Noel continued to be his rock. She helped raise their two children, Shannon and K.C. (Kelly Christopher), in the L.A. suburb of Sylmar. Their home was a place where creativity and family came first. Shannon and K.C. both grew up to follow their parents’ footsteps into the creative world, with Shannon becoming a writer and producer, and K.C. a film director. This is a beautiful testament to the creative and supportive home Noel and John built.

Life After John Amos

Noel and John’s marriage lasted for a decade, from 1965 to 1975. After their divorce, Noel’s life became more private. Information about her is mainly found through what her children have shared online. We know she got remarried to a Disney special-effects engineer and moved to a ranch in California, a place that likely allowed her to continue her love for horses.

Her life took a very difficult turn in 1996. After a medical procedure, she suffered complications that left her blind and a quadriplegic. Her second husband, who loved and cared for her deeply, looked after her until his own death about nine years later. This period of her life was marked by immense personal hardship, yet her children’s stories suggest she faced these challenges with grace.

Her daughter, Shannon, once shared a beautiful story about Noel. Shannon recalled a conversation with her mom, where Noel mentioned she never got to travel as much as she wanted. Shannon told her, “I asked her, ‘What if I take your ashes with me and I travel around the world?’ My mom’s eyes lit up.” This touching moment shows how Noel, even through her health struggles, maintained a spirit of adventure and a connection with her family.

Noel Mickelson passed away in 2016. While she was not a public figure in the same way as John Amos, her life story is just as compelling. She was an artist, a dedicated mother, and a woman who showed incredible strength and resilience in the face of life’s challenges. Her legacy lives on through her children, who continue to honor her memory and the love she gave them.

A Life Lived with Love and Strength

Noel J. Mickelson’s story is a reminder that everyone’s life has depth and importance. While many people only know her as “John Amos’s ex-wife,” her life was full of her own passions, her own struggles, and her own triumphs. She was an artist who supported another artist’s dreams. She was a mother who raised two talented children. She was a woman who faced unimaginable health issues with courage.

Through the loving memories shared by her children, we get a glimpse of a kind, strong, and inspiring woman. Noel’s life, though private, was a testament to love, family, and the power of the human spirit. She may have stepped out of the public eye, but her story is one worth remembering and celebrating.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who was Noel J. Mickelson? Noel J. Mickelson was an artist and the first wife of the famous actor John Amos. She was a private person but is known for her support of John’s career and for raising their two children, Shannon and K.C. Amos.

2. When and where was Noel J. Mickelson born? Noel was born on August 22, 1943, in Jackson County, Minnesota.

3. When did Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos get married? They were married in 1965.

4. How long were Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos married? Their marriage lasted for 10 years. They divorced in 1975.

5. How many children did Noel J. Mickelson have with John Amos? They had two children together: a daughter named Shannon and a son named K.C. (Kelly Christopher) Amos.

6. What was Noel J. Mickelson’s career? Noel was an artist and also worked as a social worker with John Amos early in their marriage. She was also an accomplished equestrian.

7. Was Noel J. Mickelson’s marriage to John Amos an interracial marriage? Yes, it was. Their marriage took place at a time when interracial marriages were still illegal in many parts of the United States.

8. Did Noel J. Mickelson remarry after her divorce from John Amos? Yes, she did. She married a Disney special-effects engineer, and he cared for her after a serious medical incident until his death.

9. What happened to Noel J. Mickelson later in her life? In 1996, after a medical procedure, she experienced complications that left her blind and a quadriplegic.

10. When did Noel J. Mickelson pass away? Noel Mickelson passed away in 2016.

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