Noel J. Mickelson: What Really Happened to John Amos’ First Wife?

Noel J. Mickelson was an American artist and horse rider. She was best known as the first wife of famous actor John Amos. He was a star of the TV show Good Times. But Noel had her own life and dreams.

Noel and John married in 1965. At that time, marriage between Black and white people was still against the law in some American states. Their love story was special, but they also faced many hard times together.

So, what happened to Noel J. Mickelson? In this article, we will learn about her childhood, work, marriage, and children. We will also look at her family life and the events that made her story so interesting.

Who Was Noel J. Mickelson?

Noel J. Mickelson was an American artist, carpenter, and horse rider. Her family also called her Noni. She loved nature and enjoyed making things with her hands. She lived a quiet life away from the cameras.

Most people know Noel as the first wife of John Amos. He became famous for his roles in Good Times, Roots, and Coming to America. However, Noel had her own talents and interests before John became a star.

She was also the mother of two children, Shannon and K.C. Amos. Both children later worked in the entertainment world. Noel died in December 2016, but her family still shares loving memories of her life.

Noel J. Mickelson Early Life

Noel J. Mickelson was reportedly born in Estherville, Iowa, in the United States. She spent her early years in the American Midwest. Her exact birthday and birth year are not known, so her age cannot be confirmed.

Her daughter Shannon shared that Noel had Danish and Ashkenazi Jewish family roots. This means her family had ties to Denmark and Jewish communities in Europe. Noel was American, but her family history came from different places.

There is little public information about Noel’s parents and siblings. She did not share many details about her childhood. Still, her love for art, animals, and nature became a big part of her life as she grew older.

Noel J. Mickelson Education and Career

Noel J. Mickelson went to Colorado State University, where she studied fine arts. She loved creative work and enjoyed learning new skills. This college also became special because it was where she met her future husband.

Noel worked as an artist, carpenter, and craftswoman. Some reports also describe her as an architect. She enjoyed building and making things. However, there are few public records about her art projects or work as an architect.

She was also a skilled horse rider. She loved spending time with horses and took part in long rides. Her son K.C. later shared that she had won riding awards. Horses remained an important part of her family life.

How Did Noel J. Mickelson Meet John Amos?

Noel J. Mickelson met John Amos while they were studying at Colorado State University. Noel was learning fine arts, while John studied sociology and played football. They had different interests, but they soon became close.

Their daughter Shannon later shared that it was love at first sight. Noel and John began dating and spent more time together. Their relationship grew stronger, and they started thinking about building a future as a couple.

However, life was not easy for them. John was Black, and Noel was white. During the 1960s, many people did not accept such relationships. Despite these problems, Noel and John stayed together and chose to get married.

Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos Marriage

Noel J. Mickelson married John Amos in 1965. At that time, interracial marriage was still illegal in 16 American states. In 1967, the Supreme Court ended these laws across the country. Their marriage began before this major change.

After college, the couple moved to New Jersey. Both worked as social workers. John wanted to become a professional football player. Noel supported his dreams and later encouraged his move into comedy and acting.

John soon started getting work in television commercials. The family moved to Los Angeles as his career grew. He later appeared on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Good Times. Noel was with him during these early years.

Noel J. Mickelson Children and Family Life

Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos had two children. Their daughter Shannon Amos was born in 1966 in New Jersey. Their son Kelly Christopher Amos, known as K.C. Amos, was born in 1970 in California.

The family lived in Sylmar, California, on a property with horses. Noel loved animals and wanted her children to enjoy nature. Shannon and K.C. grew up around horses and learned many things from their creative mother.

Shannon later became a writer and producer, while K.C. became a filmmaker. Both followed creative careers. Shannon once shared that she never saw her parents as different because of their skin colors. She simply saw two loving parents.

Why Did Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos Divorce?

Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos divorced in 1975. They had been married for ten years and had two children together. Their daughter Shannon was only nine years old when they separated. It was a sad time for their family.

The real reason for their divorce was never fully shared. Shannon later said her mother went through a very hard time after the split. The Hollywood Reporter also reported that Noel had a court order to keep John away from her.

After the divorce, John continued working as an actor. He later married actress Lillian Lehman, but that marriage also ended. Noel chose to live a quiet life. She spent more time with her children and stayed away from fame.

Noel J. Mickelson Life After Divorce

After her divorce, Noel J. Mickelson started a new part of her life. She stayed away from the cameras and enjoyed her privacy. She still loved art, horses, and nature. These things had always made her happy.

Noel later married a man who worked on special effects for Disney. They lived together on a ranch in California. Their home was away from the busy city. Not much is known about her second husband or their marriage.

Her children sometimes shared old pictures of her on social media. These photos showed happy family moments. They also helped people learn more about Noel. Even though she was no longer married to John, she remained a loving mother.

What Happened to Noel J. Mickelson’s Health?

In 1996, Noel J. Mickelson had a serious health problem. She went to the hospital for an operation to remove her womb. Sadly, her family said something went wrong during the operation. Her life changed after that day.

Noel lost her sight and could no longer move her arms or legs. She needed help with many things, such as eating, getting dressed, and moving around. It was a very hard change for someone who had once loved riding horses.

Her second husband helped care for her for many years. Her children also stayed close to her. Although life became difficult, Noel remained loved by her family. They continued to remember her as a kind and creative woman.

Noel J. Mickelson Death and Final Wish

Noel J. Mickelson died in December 2016. Reports say her family was with her near the end of her life. Her death was very sad for Shannon and K.C. Both children later shared old photos and loving words about their mother.

Before she died, Noel shared a wish with her family. She wanted to travel and see more of the world. Sadly, her health problems had made travel very hard. Shannon later decided to take her mother’s ashes to different places around the world.

Shannon began this journey in January 2017. She wanted to give her mother the travel experience she had missed. In February 2024, Shannon shared how much she missed her mother’s hugs. John Amos later died on August 21, 2024.

Final Thoughts

Many people want to know Noel J. Mickelson’s net worth. However, there is no clear public record of how much money she owned. Some websites share different numbers, but none of these amounts have been confirmed.

Noel worked as an artist and carpenter. She was also a skilled horse rider who loved animals and nature. Earlier in life, she worked as a social worker with John Amos. Her work and interests showed her many talents.

Her children are an important part of her story. Shannon became a writer and producer, while K.C. became a filmmaker. Both followed creative paths. Noel is also remembered for her marriage to John during a time when interracial couples faced unfair laws.

(FAQs)

What Does Noel J. Mickelson’s Obituary Say?

Noel J. Mickelson died in December 2016. She was John Amos’ first wife and a mother of two. Her children shared loving memories of her after her death.

What Was Noel J. Mickelson’s Ethnicity?

Noel J. Mickelson had Danish and Ashkenazi Jewish family roots. Her daughter Shannon shared this information. She was born in America.

What Was Noel J. Mickelson’s Age and Birthday?

Noel J. Mickelson’s exact birthday and age are unknown. She was reportedly born in Iowa and died in December 2016.

How Many Children Did Noel J. Mickelson Have?

Noel J. Mickelson had two children with John Amos. Her daughter Shannon was born in 1966, and her son K.C. was born in 1970.

What Was Noel J. Mickelson’s Net Worth?

Noel J. Mickelson’s net worth is unknown. She worked as an artist and loved horse riding. No trusted source has confirmed how much money she had.

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