Terry Mickens passed away June 8, 2017, at the age of 61, surrounded by family at
Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Terry was born November 11, 1955, in Hamilton, MT. He was the third of five children.
Terry enjoyed growing up in the Bitterroot Valley, giving his mom a run for her
money; she was constantly having to check his pockets for rocks, worms, gopher
tails, and frogs, among many other things. He attended Target Range Elementary
School through the fifth grade, when he and his family moved to Florence where
he finished his schooling, graduating from Florence Carlton High School in 1974.
In high school is where Terry excelled in athletics, lettering in multiple
sports three consecutive years. He was also a successful student and a hard
worker outside the classroom, maintaining various after-school and summer jobs
throughout his school career. He also had a love for AMC Ramblers, owning at
least three, the last of which he donned with “Wonder Bread” style polka
dots.
Upon graduation from high school, Terry followed in his father’s career field of
telecommunications and began working at Blackfoot Telephone, until the fall of
1975 when he moved to Phoenix, AZ, to attend DeVry Institute of Technology.
After earning his Associate of Science in 1977, he returned to Montana to work
for Blackfoot Telephone for another four years. He married Tina Evans in 1978
and began working for Northern Telecommunications in 1981. He and his wife
enjoyed the travel Nortel provided them and the many people they met along the
way, “Spock doll” in tow.
In 1986 his daughter, Jenna was born in Renton, WA. Three years later, his son,
Sean, was born in Aurora, CO. 1989 brought another life change: Terry and his
family moved back to Montana, this time Kalispell, where he would begin working
for Alamon Telco in 1990 and professionally settle down until his retirement in
2016. Alamon provided Terry with sort of “second family”, making it easy for him
to love his work for more than 25 years.
Throughout his life, Terry continued to enjoy the activities of his youth. Following in his
father’s footsteps spending summers fishing and enjoying the outdoors,
especially at the family cabin in the Bitterroot. In his adult years he grew to
love other various hobbies such as darts, which he and his wife enjoyed playing
for many years once moving to the Flathead. He attended many Montana Grizzly
football games. He always enjoyed spending time with family and friends and
often hosted gatherings at his home. He loved a good bonfire and whether he was
surrounded by company or by himself, he always found peace and solace in sitting
by the fire. To accompany his passion for summer and being in the sunshine, he
fell in love with the game of golf. He never turned down a round of golf, making
sure to play as many different courses as he possibly could. Terry was a trusted
friend and wonderful father.
Terry is survived by his lifelong partner and friend, Tina Evans, his children, Jenna
(Adam) Brown and Sean Mickens, his grandson Marcus Brown, his siblings Diane
(Dave) Holmes, Jerry Mickens, Delbert (Tina) Mickens, and many nieces and
nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Sharon McPhee and parents
Francis and Verlis Mickens.
A celebration of life will be held 4:00 pm, July 1, 2017, at the Mickens’ family
home in Kalispell. In typical Terry fashion the celebration will be followed by
a campfire. Potluck style barbeque sides are appreciated as an entree will be
provided.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a children’s hospital
of choice in Terry’s name.