Thomas Lee Mikkelson passed away in Mountain View hospital in Las Cruces, New Mexico on Sunday, August 20, 2023. He was born October 19, 1959, in Los Angeles, California to Philip Thomas Mikkelson, Jr and Judith Lynn Bradstreet. His early growing up years were in Long Beach, where his mischievous antics at the family’s apartment on Los Coyotes were no doubt long remembered by residents there. His preteen and teen years were spent in the Las Vegas and Henderson areas of Nevada, where his parents bought a home on Hiawatha Street in 1972.
Tom had many fun adventures hiking, treasure hunting, camping, and fishing with his family and childhood friends. His love of the outdoors was inherited from his father and grandfather, and he grew to be an experienced fisherman of Florida, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah waters.
At 18 years old, he married his young love, Becky, and they had two children before moving their new family to Florida. Their marriage ended and Tom eventually found love again and married Candy. He was a caring stepfather to her two sons, Noah, and Stacy, and remained friends with them over the years, long after that marriage ended. Casy, now deceased, even stated once that Tom was the best father figure he had ever had in his life.
In 1991 Tom met the true love of his life, Wilma (Emma) Bailey. They married in 1999 and after living in Hawaii and California, settled back in Las Vegas to be close to family after Tom’s father’s passing. They built a life full of many happy memories together.
In 2022, Tom and Emma retired and moved to New Mexico where Tom was able to spend his last year cooking and hanging out with his granddaughters and great grandchildren.
Tom was a skilled water softener technician and general handyman. He could rig up anything, from fishing pole holders out of PVC pipe, to an elaborate camp shower complete with warm running water. He loved sitting on his patio, listening to Hall & Oates or Sports radio. He loved to laugh and was a prankster (especially to his younger sisters). He loved telling funny stories about his dad, and laughing at tales his brother-in-law Fred would tell him. He was a fabulous and creative cook and especially enjoyed sharing his culinary creations with family and friends. We fondly remember his crabby patties, Roman burgers, barbequed pigeon (that one, not so fondly), rabbit stew, and shepherd’s pie.
Tom adored camping and fishing. His sisters, nieces, and nephews will always remember the many camping trips they took together, where he taught them all how to do everything from rigging the fishing pole, to cleaning and cooking the fish. We are deeply saddened that his spot around the campfire will be empty, but he remains in our hearts forever.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Emma; his mother Judith and “pops” Marc; sisters Lori and Bonnie and Stephanie; daughter Deanna and son Thomas; stepson Noah; grandchildren Faith, Amber, Lilly, and Daniel; nephew and nieces Tyler, Marissa, Rachael, Lana, Kiera and Alex; grandnieces Jasmine and Raven; cousins Julie and Deena and Paul; Aunt Linda and cousins Jill, Gina and Donnie, Shane, Dawn and April; his brother-from-another-mother Fred; and his faithful pooch Miel. Sadly, Tom was preceded in death by his father, Philip; his cousin and best buddy Todd; and by his beloved Uncle Roger, who passed just a month prior to Tom and with whom he often shared fishing adventures.
It is said that we are all stories in the end, remembered by the adventures we had and the people we loved. Tom’s story was too short, but he was greatly loved and will be dearly missed and often remembered.
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