Terry Mickens, 61

Terry Mickens passed away June 8, 2017, at the age of 61, surrounded by family at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Terry was born Nov. 11, 1955, in Hamilton. 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 to attend DeVry Institute of Technology. After earning his Associate of Science degree 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, Washington. Three years later, his son, Sean, was born in Aurora, Colorado. 1989 brought another life change: Terry and his family moved back to Montana, this time to Kalispell, where he would begin working for Alamon Telco in 1990 and professionally settle down until his retirement in 2016. Alamon provided Terry with a 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, and 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 at 4 p.m., July 1, at the Mickens’ family home in Kalispell. In typical Terry fashion the celebration will be followed by a campfire. Potluck-style barbecue 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.

To send a note of condolence to the family, please visit www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.