Noel J. Mickelson was an artist, equestrian, and craftswoman who married actor John Amos in 1965 when interracial marriage was illegal in 16 states. She raised two accomplished children, Shannon and K.C. Amos, and passed away in December 2016.
Some people leave their mark not through headlines but through the lives they shape. Noel J. Mickelson never sought fame, yet her story carries weight that reaches beyond her lifetime. Born in a small Minnesota town, she became an artist, a mother, and a woman who chose love when society told her not to.
Her marriage to actor John Amos happened during a time when their union was illegal in many states. She raised two children who both entered the entertainment world. She created art with her hands and lived with a quiet strength that still echoes through her family today.
This article covers Noel J. Mickelson’s early life in Iowa, her groundbreaking marriage, her work as an artist and equestrian, her role raising Shannon and K.C. Amos, and her death in 2016.
Early Life and Background
Noel Jean Mickelson was born on August 22, 1943, in Jackson County, Minnesota. Her parents were Wilbur B. Mickelson and Dorothy J. Tims. The family later moved to Estherville, Iowa, a small Midwest town where she spent her formative years.
Growing up in Iowa during the 1940s and 1950s, Noel developed interests that would define her adult life. She learned woodworking, painting, and horseback riding from a young age. These skills were more than hobbies. They became the foundation of her professional identity and personal expression.
She attended Colorado State University, where her path would cross with a young sociology student and football player named John Amos. That meeting would change both their lives.
Her Artistic Pursuits
Noel J. Mickelson built her career around creativity. As an artist, she worked with multiple mediums, from painting to furniture making. Her craftsmanship showed patience and attention to detail.
Her love for horses led her to become an accomplished equestrian. Working with horses requires consistency, observation, and a gentle hand. These same qualities showed up in how she raised her children and managed her household.
Unlike many celebrity spouses, Noel J. Mickelson maintained her identity as an artist, craftswoman, and equestrian throughout her life. Her creative work provided both personal fulfillment and professional recognition within her community.
A Marriage That Defied the Law
Meeting at Colorado State
John Amos was playing football while studying sociology at Colorado State University when he met Noel, and it was love at first sight. The connection between them was immediate, but the timing was complicated.
In 1965, America was in the middle of the civil rights movement. Black Americans were fighting segregation and discrimination across the country. Interracial couples faced not just social disapproval but legal barriers.
Breaking Barriers in 1965
By 1965, interracial marriage was illegal in about 16 states. Despite this, Noel married John Amos on December 27, 1965, at the chapel at Colorado State University. Their decision to marry took courage that most people today cannot fully grasp.
The couple had to navigate a society that opposed their union. They faced stares, comments, and obstacles that tested their commitment daily. Whether their respective families supported the marriage remains unclear from historical records.
Their courage was rewarded in 1967 when the United States Supreme Court overturned legislation banning interracial marriages. The Loving v. Virginia decision came two years after their wedding, finally making their marriage legal nationwide.
Supporting John’s Career
After graduation, John and Noel moved to his home state of New Jersey, and they both worked as social workers. But John had bigger dreams. He wanted to perform.
“Being an artist herself, she understood my reluctance to accept the 9-to-5 world,” John said. Noel encouraged his shift from social work to acting. This support proved crucial during the uncertain early years of his entertainment career.
She moved their family to Los Angeles to help John pursue acting opportunities. She handled the household, raised their children, and maintained stability while John traveled for auditions and roles.
The Children of Noel J. Mickelson
Noel’s most visible legacy lives through her two children. Both Shannon and K.C. Amos entered the entertainment industry, following a creative path influenced by their mother’s artistic nature and their father’s acting career.
Shannon Amos: Producer and Entrepreneur
Shannon was born on August 5, 1966. She grew up in the Sylmar neighborhood of Los Angeles on a property that included horses. As a child, she saw her father as just a regular dad doing his job. Only later did she understand his impact on television history.
Shannon built a successful career in entertainment. She launched Afterglow Multimedia, LLC, a boutique talent management and production company. Her client list grew to include Turner Originals, ESPN, TV One, BET, and several digital platforms.
Shannon worked in the film industry for over 20 years before changing her career path. In 2020, she launched Sumanah, a wellness travel company. The shift came after her mother’s death in 2016, when Shannon began traveling the world with her mother’s ashes to fulfill a final wish.
Shannon also became a mother herself, welcoming daughter Queira Noelle on November 30, 1991.
K.C. Amos: Director and Filmmaker
K.C. was born on October 18, 1970. His full name is Kelly Christopher Amos, nicknamed for his father’s time playing football for the Kansas City Chiefs. Like his sister, he grew up around horses in Sylmar.
K.C. pursued work behind the camera as a director and producer. He became a Grammy-nominated director and founded his own production company, Colored Wind Films.
In 2003, K.C. created The Watermelon Heist, a project he collaborated on with Shannon. He also worked extensively with his father, including co-producing and directing the 2015 film Mercy for Angels.
“Having my own son working with me as a filmmaker is a blessing because we can capture these moments of inspiration,” John explained in 2024. They spent years working on a docuseries called America’s Dad, which covered both their careers.
Raising Children in a Challenging Environment
Noel and John worked hard to protect their children from racism. They tried to create a home where prejudice couldn’t penetrate. But society’s biases eventually caught up with them.
Shannon once revealed on Instagram that her family faced an armed racist who aimed a gun at her father. The children grew up aware of their mixed heritage in a country still grappling with racial division.
Despite these challenges, both Shannon and K.C. maintained strong bonds with their parents and credited them as major inspirations in their lives.
Life After Divorce
John Amos divorced Noel J. Mickelson in August 1975 in California. The marriage lasted ten years. The reasons for their separation remain private, as both maintained discretion about personal matters.
After the divorce, Noel focused on her art and her children. She never remarried. Instead, she dedicated her life to her creative pursuits and raising Shannon and K.C.
She continued working as an artist and equestrian, building a career that brought her personal satisfaction and financial stability. Reports suggest she accumulated wealth through her work, though exact figures vary across sources.
Noel J. Mickelson’s Death and Legacy
Noel J. Mickelson passed away in December 2016, surrounded by her family. In her last moments, she expressed regret that she could not travel to see the world.
Shannon then vowed to take her ashes around the world to fulfill her last wish and began doing so in January 2017. Her daughter has since traveled extensively, bringing her mother’s remains to destinations across multiple continents.
Her Lasting Impact
Noel J. Mickelson’s influence extends beyond her immediate family. Her marriage in 1965 represented an act of resistance against unjust laws. Her choice to love John Amos despite legal and social barriers contributed to the larger movement for interracial acceptance in America.
Her dedication to art demonstrated that creativity deserves pursuit for its own sake, not just for fame or recognition. She showed her children that artistic expression matters.
Most importantly, she raised two accomplished individuals who continue to impact entertainment and culture. Shannon and K.C. both credit their mother’s support and example as foundational to their success.
Comparing Noel J. Mickelson to Other Pioneer Spouses
| Person | Era | Contribution | Children’s Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noel J. Mickelson | 1965-1975 | Married John Amos when illegal; supported his career | Shannon (producer), K.C. (director) |
| Mildred Loving | 1958-1975 | Landmark Supreme Court case ending marriage bans | 3 children; case changed history |
| Ruby Dee | 1948-2004 | Civil rights activist and actor married to Ossie Davis | 3 children; both parents became icons |
| Coretta Scott King | 1953-1968 | Civil rights leader married to MLK Jr. | 4 children; continued civil rights work |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Noel J. Mickelson?
She was an artist and equestrian who married actor John Amos in 1965. She raised two successful children in entertainment.
When did Noel J. Mickelson die?
She passed away in December 2016, surrounded by family. Her daughter Shannon fulfilled her wish to travel the world posthumously.
How many children did Noel J. Mickelson have?
She had two children with John Amos: Shannon (born 1966) and K.C. (born 1970). Both work in entertainment.
Was Noel J. Mickelson’s marriage legal?
Their 1965 marriage occurred when interracial marriage was illegal in 16 states. The Supreme Court legalized it nationwide in 1967.
What was Noel J. Mickelson’s profession?
She worked as an artist, craftswoman, and equestrian. She created paintings and furniture throughout her life.
Conclusion
Noel J. Mickelson lived a life of quiet courage and creative dedication. Her decision to marry John Amos in 1965 challenged laws that treated love as a crime. Her support enabled his rise to television fame. Her artistic pursuits proved that identity exists beyond marriage or motherhood.
Her greatest achievement remains visible today. Shannon Amos built a successful production company and now leads a wellness travel business. K.C. Amos creates films and earned Grammy recognition for his directing work. Both children carry forward the values their mother instilled.
Not every important person seeks the spotlight. Some shape history through smaller acts: marrying despite the law, encouraging a spouse’s dreams, raising children with strength and creativity. Noel J. Mickelson’s name may not appear in history textbooks, but her impact continues through the lives she touched and the barriers she helped break.
