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

Noel J. Mickelson was an American artist, equestrian, and the first wife of actor John Amos, best known for his roles in Good Times and Roots. Their interracial marriage in 1965 attracted attention during a time when racial discrimination remained widespread in the United States.

Beyond her marriage, Noel was a creative woman who loved art, horses, and family life. She raised two children, Shannon and K.C. Amos, and spent much of her later life away from Hollywood.

Noel J. Mickelson’s Quick Profile

Who Was Noel J. Mickelson?

Noel J. Mickelson, affectionately called “Noni,” was an artist and experienced horse rider. She became known through her marriage to John Amos, although her interests extended beyond her husband’s entertainment career.

She studied fine arts, enjoyed craftsmanship, and developed a lasting passion for horses. Her children later remembered her as a creative and caring mother who encouraged their individual talents.

Early Life and Education

Noel reportedly grew up in Iowa, where she developed an interest in creativity and nature. Her family background included Danish and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, as described by her daughter Shannon.

She later attended Colorado State University to study fine arts. During her college years, she met John Amos, who was studying sociology and playing football. Their relationship developed before John became a familiar face on American television.

Marriage to John Amos

Noel and John met during the early 1960s and married in 1965. Their relationship began when John was still pursuing opportunities in football, years before his successful acting career.

The couple initially lived in New Jersey, where both reportedly worked in social services. Noel understood John’s ambitions and supported his desire to pursue a different professional path.

Their marriage was particularly significant because interracial relationships still faced strong prejudice. At the time, several American states had laws prohibiting marriages between Black and white partners.

In 1967, the Supreme Court’s Loving v. Virginia decision struck down those restrictions nationwide. Noel and John had already been married for two years.

Despite the social challenges, they built a family together. Their marriage lasted approximately ten years before ending in divorce in 1975.

Noel J. Mickelson’s Children

Noel and John had two children, Shannon Amos and Kelly Christopher “K.C.” Amos. Both eventually developed careers in creative industries, following different paths within entertainment.

Shannon Amos, born in August 1966, became a television producer and entrepreneur. Her professional experience includes work connected with Yo! MTV Raps and America’s Most Wanted. She later became involved in wellness and travel businesses.

K.C. Amos, born in October 1970, pursued filmmaking, directing, and production. His work includes The Watermelon Heist and other entertainment projects. He has also shared family memories and photographs honoring his mother.

Noel encouraged creativity throughout her children’s upbringing. Her appreciation for art and outdoor activities became an important part of their family environment.

Image source: Old.fasciaguide.com

Career and Love for Horses

Noel was passionate about fine arts, craftsmanship, and equestrian activities. Although she did not pursue a public entertainment career, she developed her own creative interests.

She was particularly skilled at horseback riding. Her son K.C. recalled that she participated in endurance riding and earned numerous awards through equestrian activities.

The family lived in the Sylmar area of Los Angeles, where horses were part of everyday life. Noel’s interest in nature and animals helped shape her children’s childhood experiences.

Some biographical accounts also describe her as a carpenter, architect, and environmentalist, although her professional work in those fields is less extensively documented.

Divorce and Life After John Amos

Noel and John divorced in 1975 after ten years of marriage. Their separation occurred as John’s television career was becoming increasingly successful.

The couple did not provide a detailed public explanation for their divorce. Afterward, John continued acting and married actress Lillian Lehman in 1978. That marriage ended the following year.

Noel also remarried. Her second husband reportedly worked as a special-effects engineer for Disney. They lived on a California ranch, where she continued enjoying a quieter lifestyle connected to nature and family.

Image source: Tmz.com

Later Years and Death

In 1996, Noel experienced serious complications during a hysterectomy. According to family accounts reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the complications left her blind and quadriplegic.

Her second husband cared for her during the years that followed, until his death approximately nine years later.

Noel died in December 2016. Her daughter Shannon later shared an emotional memory about her mother’s wish to experience more of the world.

To honor that wish, Shannon began traveling internationally with her mother’s ashes in 2017. She visited 14 countries, turning the journey into a personal tribute to Noel’s life and memory.

Noel J. Mickelson’s Net Worth

Noel’s personal net worth was never established through reliable financial reporting. Unlike John Amos, whose career involved decades of television and film work, she maintained a more private professional life.

Her interests included artwork, craftsmanship, and horseback riding, but her income and personal assets were not widely documented.

Rather than her financial status, her family relationships and artistic pursuits remain the most meaningful parts of her biography.

Noel J. Mickelson’s Legacy

Noel’s life is remembered for more than her marriage to a famous actor. She was a talented equestrian, an artist, and a mother who encouraged creativity within her family.

Her relationship with John Amos also reflected the social challenges faced by interracial couples during the 1960s. Their marriage began before interracial unions received nationwide constitutional protection.

Through the memories shared by Shannon and K.C., Noel remains an important figure in the Amos family’s history.

Conclusion

Noel J. Mickelson lived a life shaped by creativity, family, and personal determination. Although best known as John Amos’ first wife, she developed her own identity through art, horses, and motherhood.

Her marriage during the Civil Rights era, her dedication to her children, and the memories they continue to share make her story an important part of the Amos family legacy.

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FAQs

How old was Noel J. Mickelson when she died?

Noel died in December 2016. Her precise age is difficult to establish because reliable biographical sources do not provide a consistent birth date.

What was Noel J. Mickelson’s ethnicity?

She had Danish and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, according to her daughter Shannon Amos. Noel was born in the United States and came from a white American family.

How many children did Noel J. Mickelson have?

She had two children with John Amos: Shannon Amos, a television producer and entrepreneur, and K.C. Amos, a filmmaker and director.

Did Noel J. Mickelson remarry?

Yes. After divorcing John Amos, she married a Disney special-effects engineer. They lived together on a California ranch.

Was Noel J. Mickelson an actress?

Noel was primarily an artist and equestrian rather than an actress. She studied fine arts and became an accomplished horseback rider.