The summer of 1965 brought more than just heat to America. While civil rights marches filled the streets and the Voting Rights Act was being signed, a young college couple quietly made history of their own. Noel Jean Mickelson, a talented equestrian and carpenter from the Midwest, married actor John Amos in a ceremony that would have been illegal in many states.
Their love story unfolded against a backdrop of social change, yet Noel’s remarkable life journey has remained largely untold – until now.
Noel J. Mickelson
Born August 22, 1943, in Jackson County, Minnesota, Noel Jean Mickelson grew up with the wide-open skies and rolling prairies of the Midwest shaping her character. Friends and family knew her as a determined young woman with a love for animals and art. Her Danish and Ashkenazi Jewish roots gave her a rich cultural heritage that influenced her worldview and artistic sensibilities.
Noel’s childhood in Iowa featured regular horseback rides across family farmland, sparking what would become a lifelong passion for equestrian sports. Early photos show a smiling girl atop her first pony, already showing the natural skill that would later earn her recognition in competitive riding circles.
Unlike many women of her generation who faced limited career options, Noel pursued her creative talents with unwavering focus. Her hands shaped wood with the same careful attention she gave to handling horses. This dual passion for craftsmanship and equestrianism set her apart long before her marriage to a famous actor brought her name into the public eye.
Early Life
Noel’s family valued education and encouraged her artistic talents from an early age. Growing up in a rural Midwest setting, she developed a strong work ethic and practical skills that would serve her throughout life. Her parents recognized her natural affinity for animals and supported her growing interest in horsemanship.
The Mickelson family’s mixed heritage – Danish on one side and Ashkenazi Jewish on the other – created a home environment rich with traditions. These cultural influences sparked Noel’s curiosity about art and craftsmanship, planting seeds for her future studies.
As a teenager, Noel showed promising talent in both drawing and woodworking. Her high school teachers noted her exceptional spatial awareness and attention to detail – qualities that would later define her work as a carpenter and artist. When college application time arrived, Noel set her sights on programs that would nurture both her creative vision and her love for the outdoors.
Carpenter and Equestrian
At Colorado State University, Noel majored in Fine Arts while spending much of her free time at the campus stables. Her professors quickly recognized her unusual talent for translating artistic concepts into three-dimensional forms. While other students struggled with basic woodworking techniques, Noel crafted furniture pieces that combined beauty with practical function.
One of her early carpentry projects – a hand-carved chest with intricate horse motifs – won recognition at a regional craft exhibition. The judges praised her perfect joinery and artistic vision, qualities rarely found in such a young craftsperson. This early success encouraged Noel to pursue more ambitious woodworking projects alongside her formal studies.
Her equestrian skills developed in parallel with her artistic talents. Noel specialized in endurance riding, a demanding sport that tests both horse and rider over long distances. Her natural affinity for understanding horse behavior gave her an edge in training and competition. By her junior year at Colorado State, she had placed in several regional endurance events, earning respect within the tight-knit equestrian community.
Fellow riders remember Noel for her gentle but effective approach to horse training. Rather than using harsh methods common at the time, she developed techniques based on mutual trust and respect. This progressive philosophy reflected her broader worldview – one that valued partnership over dominance, a theme that would echo throughout her relationships as well.
Marriage to John Amos
The story of how Noel met John Amos has all the elements of a classic romance. In 1964, John – then a promising football player with dreams of acting – spotted Noel across the Colorado State University campus. Friends recall him describing the moment as “love at first sight.” Their initial conversation revealed shared values and dreams despite their different backgrounds.
Their courtship faced challenges beyond typical relationship hurdles. As an interracial couple in the early 1960s, they navigated a society where their relationship remained legally questionable in many states. Not until 1967 would the Supreme Court’s Loving v. Virginia decision strike down all anti-miscegenation laws nationwide.
Despite these obstacles, Noel and John married in 1965, creating a union that defied convention and reflected their independent spirits. The ceremony was small but meaningful, with a handful of supportive friends and family witnessing their commitment.
After marriage, the couple moved to New Jersey as John pursued acting opportunities in New York. Noel continued her carpentry work, creating custom furniture for clients while supporting John’s early career. Their daughter Shannon arrived in 1966, followed by son K.C. in 1970, completing their family.
These years brought both joy and strain to their relationship. As John’s star rose with roles in “Good Times” and “Roots,” the demands of Hollywood created distance in their marriage. After a decade together, the couple divorced in 1975. Though their romantic relationship ended, they maintained respect for each other’s roles in their children’s lives.
Life After Divorce
Following her divorce from John, Noel rebuilt her life with characteristic resilience. She returned to her equestrian roots, teaching riding to children and adults at a California stable while continuing her custom carpentry business. These twin passions provided both emotional healing and financial independence during a difficult transition.
Love found Noel again when she met a special-effects engineer working for Disney. Their shared creative interests and mutual respect formed the foundation for a lasting relationship. They married and settled on a ranch in California, where Noel could pursue her love of horses while maintaining her carpentry workshop.
This period brought professional success as Noel’s reputation for fine woodworking grew. Her specialized horse-stall designs became sought after by equestrian centers throughout Southern California, combining practical functionality with artistic elements. The business thrived, allowing the couple to expand their ranch and horse breeding program.
Their happiness faced a devastating challenge in 1996 when complications from what should have been a routine hysterectomy led to severe medical issues for Noel. The surgical complications triggered a cascade of health problems resulting in blindness and quadriplegia. This profound change tested both Noel’s remarkable spirit and her husband’s devotion.
Throughout this difficult chapter, Noel’s second husband provided unwavering care and support. He adapted their ranch home to accommodate her needs and remained by her side as they navigated this unexpected path together. Friends and family were moved by their enduring bond during these challenging years.
Remembering Noel J. Mickelson
The story of Noel J. Mickelson offers more than biographical details – it presents a narrative of resilience, creativity, and quiet courage. Her journey from Midwest roots to marriage with a famous actor to life as an artist and equestrian exemplifies living with purpose and authenticity.
For researchers and family historians, Noel’s life provides valuable insight into an era of profound social change in America. Her 1965 marriage to John Amos occurred two years before the Supreme Court’s landmark Loving v. Virginia decision legalized interracial marriage nationwide, placing their personal choice within a significant historical context.
Equestrian enthusiasts and woodworkers alike can draw inspiration from her dedication to craft and her innovative approaches. Though formal recognition of her work remains limited, those who experienced her artistry firsthand continue to share stories of her exceptional skill and vision.
Most importantly, Noel’s life reminds us that extraordinary journeys often unfold away from public attention. Her legacy lives not in headlines or celebrity, but in the lives she touched through her art, her teaching, and her example of living with integrity despite challenges.
What questions remain about this remarkable woman? How might her story inspire today’s artists, athletes, and pioneers? Perhaps the greatest tribute to Noel J. Mickelson is continuing to explore these questions while celebrating the full measure of her unique life beyond the shadow of fame.
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