DONNIE ARTHUR MICKELSON May 23, 1944 – January 11, 2020

Donnie Arthur Mickelson was born on May 23, 1944 in the small North-Central Texas town of Clifton. The son of U.S. Army veteran and carpenter/contractor Carl Mickelson and the vivacious Pearl Mickelson, Donnie and his older brother Larry later grew up in Northeast Houston and played nearly every sport. Donnie gravitated to football, baseball and basketball, playing on the junior high football team at Burbank Junior High and on the varsity baseball and basketball teams at Sam Houston High School.

It was at Sam Houston High where he met his future bride Rebecca (Becky) Valerio. Donnie graduated from Sam Houston in 1962 and he and Becky were married in 1963. They honeymooned in San Antonio. They welcomed their first son Brian in 1964 and son Carl in 1972.

They made Garden Oaks home for the better part of three decades. Donnie worked as a professional electrician on large commercial projects his entire career. From skyscrapers to hospitals to churches and corporate office buildings, he could expertly wire and illuminate anything that needed power. If you visited his home, you probably noticed an abundance of dimmers, closet lights and well-lit paths and landscaped areas. If you knew him well, you knew the Christmas lights had their own hardwired circuit controlled from switches in the guest room closet.

He discovered a passion for golf as an adult and played frequently after work and on weekends. In the 90s, it wasn't uncommon for he and his regular foursome to play 54 holes on a Sunday at the diminutive, tucked-away Fox Creek Golf Course near Hempstead. He made his only hole in one there and left his mark at courses all over the state and even exotic locations like Maui and Oahu. Family vacations were frequently focused on destinations where golf was plentiful. The Texas Hill Country and high elevations of Colorado were among his favorite places to escape.

Though an easygoing man of few words, he loved gathering with family. Surrounded by laughter, food and love, he was happiest. Then, and perhaps during Game 7 of the 2017 World Series, he was happiest. A lifelong fan of Houston's professional sports teams, he rode the highs and frustrations all fans of the Astros, Oilers, Rockets and Texans know well. At the time of his passing, the Texans were coming off an overtime playoff win and the Astros still had a manager and GM.

In retirement, he enjoyed travel and gardening. He and Becky took several cruises and road trips. He took in the 2010 Masters Tournament in Augusta, GA with his sons. He made frequent visits back to Clifton to visit his beloved mother Pearl, who lived to be 106. He enjoyed seeing the world through eyes of his young grandchildren Stella and Cole. He took pleasure in the simple things like the habits of the squirrels and birds who enjoyed the confines of his colorful, manicured backyard. He won numerous HOA awards for his outdoor Christmas decorations and enjoyed exercising at the local YMCA.

If you ever shared a rib-rattling laugh with Donnie, had him help you with a favor or home repair or tasted his barbeque, you knew a man with an enormous heart who rooted for the good guys, helped those in need and loved his family and Mexican food as much as anyone ever has. He planted many trees over the years and they'll stand in his honor for decades to come but, more importantly, he planted his love and his example as a man, husband, father, grandpa and friend to those who cared about him and will miss him deeply.

Donnie went to his Heavenly home on January 11, 2020.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Pearl Mickelson. Donnie is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Rebecca Mickelson; his sons, Brian Mickelson and wife Gigot, and Carl Mickelson and wife Shannon; grandchildren, Stella Mickelson, and Cole Mickelson; brother, Larry Mickelson and wife Kathleen; siblings-in-law, Dan Valerio, Sylvia Valerio, Carol Weimert, and Bob Weimert; nephews, Mark Mickelson, Gregg Mickelson and wife Elizabeth, and Michael Weimert; and nieces, Michelle Valerio, Kristen Ferguson and husband Tyler, and Crystal Valerio.