Edward George Mickel

Edward George Mickel, 87, of Farmington, New Mexico, peacefully passed away on April 25, 2021 at home with his wife, Dolores, and his faithful four legged companion, Fred, by his side. Ed was born on June 12, 1933 in Mission, South Dakota to John Peter Mickel and Carolina Mickel. He graduated from White River High School in White River, South Dakota. In 1952, he enlisted in the US Army, where he served in the Korean War in the 936 Field Artillery Division. During his service, Ed earned the Korean Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. In 1954, he was honorably discharged and then started his education at the University of South Dakota graduating in 1961 with a B.A. and M.A. in Geology. After Ed graduated he began his career at Mountain Fuel Supply Company as an Exploration Geologist in Rock Springs, Wyoming and later became District Geologist in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ed was later promoted to Senior Staff Geologist and later promoted to Chief Geologist for Mountain Fuel Supply Company in Farmington, New Mexico. In 1977, Ed moved to Denver, Colorado where he was Assistant Vice President and Exploration Manager of the Rocky Mountain Region for Grace Petroleum. In 1980, Ed joined Hunt Oil where he became Regional Exploration Manager of their Western Division in Denver, Colorado and later held the same position in Dallas, Texas. In 1993, Ed held his most coveted position of Exploration Manager of Central and South America which led him to become General Manager of Argentina Hunt Oil Company in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After a long and rewarding career, Ed retired in 1996 in Dallas, Texas. Ed and Dolores moved to Farmington, New Mexico in 2014. It was in Denver, Colorado that he met Dolores Francis MacMurtrie and they were married December 2, 1978. Ed and Dolores spent the next 42 years together along with their blended family of 9 children. Together, Ed and Dolores visited 30 different countries sharing a love for travel. Ed enjoyed collecting coins, rocks, military memorabilia and over the years had acquired an extraordinary trench art collection. He loved to golf, travel, entertain and lived his life to the fullest.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Charles Joseph Mickel.
He is survived by his wife; Dolores, sons; John Mickel (Sheila), Jeff Mickel (Jean Tangeman), Ian MacMurtrie (Karen); daughters; Val Mickel, Vicki Snyder (Randy), Kathy Spencer (Steve), Jeannie MacMurtrie, Sandy MacMurtrie (Charlie), Wendy Blodgett (Dwayne), sisters; Kathryn (Katie) Mickel Jensen (Barry) and Helen Burnett, 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
A private family memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday; April 30, 2021, at Brewer Lee and Larkin Funeral Home 103 E. Ute St, Farmington, NM 87401. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Regional Animal Shelter Foundation, PO Box 692, Farmington, NM. 87499 in memory of Ed Mickel.
You can share your memories and condolences with the family at www.serenityandcompany.com