Joseph A. Mickes
August 27, 1935 ~ September 25, 2016
Joseph A. Mickes, 81, of Jefferson City, passed away Sunday, September 25, 2016, at St. Louis University Hospital.
He was born August 27, 1935, in St. Louis, the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Sweeney) Mickes.
Joe was a 1953 graduate of Mercy High School, a graduate of Rolla School of Mines in 1957, and received an honorary Ph.D. from University of Missouri Rolla in 1995.
He was united in marriage in June of 1960, to Darlene Barket at St. Gabriel the Archangel Church.
Joe worked for the Missouri Department of Transportation beginning in the department of construction. He held a variety of positions before he was named Director of the Department of Transportation in 1994.
He was a member of the UMR Academy of Civil Engineers, the Army Reserves, the Missouri Highway Engineers Association, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, and the Jefferson City Rotary Club. He also served as head of the Transportation and Research Board in Washington D.C.
He was a member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, and enjoyed golfing and traveling.
Survivors include his wife, Darlene Mickes, Jefferson City; three children, Michael Mickes, Redondo Beach, CA; Beth Mickes, Baltimore, MD; Nicole (Jack) Baldwin, Holts Summit; two grandchildren, Zachary Edge and Brittany Wilbers; one great-grandson, Mason Wilkes; and one sister, Pat Meyer, St. Louis.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Betty Bucher; and two brothers, Ray Mickes and Jack Mickes.
Visitation will be 4:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, September 28, 2016, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 4 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday, September 29, 2016, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with the Rev. Msgr. Robert A. Kurwicki officiating.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
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Yea heaven has received a great man! So many happy childhood memories with you all! Summer camping! You dad was always so warm,kind and loving. He was a man full of joy for life and had a way of making others feel loved! Fond memories of ” sock it to me Fetticuni” and Mickey mouse pancakes and cards and Chinese checkers. Some of my fondest memories are those camping trips! Wish we could be with you all. Stay in touch. Call us if ever in St Louis. Would love to catch up! Know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mary Lou Auton
Yea heaven has received a great man! So many happy childhood memories with you all! Summer camping! You dad was always so warm,kind and loving. He was a man full of joy for life and had a way of making others feel loved! Fond memories of ” sock it to me Fetticuni” and Mickey mouse pancakes and cards and Chinese checkers. Some of my fondest memories are those camping trips! Wish we could be with you all. Stay in touch. Call us if ever in St Louis. Would love to catch up! Know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mary Lou Auton
Hi Mike. WhIle I did not have the good fortune of meeting your Dad, he had to be an iconic kind man to have a wonderful unique son like you. Please know you will always be in my heart and I send healing peace and hugs your way. Losing one’s father is in a way like a foundational pillar suddenly crumbling…yet he is alive in you and all is well. Love ya my dear friend. Keep singing and dancing.
Loved all the fun our families had together when growing up in Joplin. Especially remember stealing your pool ladder and wrapping it up as a present on your driveway. Mr Mickes was a great role model and am very lucky to have enjoyed his bigger-than-life personality. The Dankelson’s are better people because of our friendship with the Mickes family. May God bless all of you.
Darin Dankelson
Loved all the fun our families had together when growing up in Joplin. Especially remember stealing your pool ladder and wrapping it up as a present on your driveway. Mr Mickes was a great role model and am very lucky to have enjoyed his bigger-than-life personality. The Dankelson’s are better people because of our friendship with the Mickes family. May God bless all of you.
Darin Dankelson
We never got to meet but I’m sure u were a great person bc Ur daughter my aunt is one of the most awesome people I kno…I kno u are in a good place now and can enjoy looking down on everyone and u will be greatly missed.
I stood watching as the little ship sailed out to sea. The setting sun tinted his white sails with a golden light, and as he disappeared from sight a voice at my side whispered, “He is gone.â€
On the farther shore a little band of friends had gathered to watch and wait in happy expectation. Suddenly they caught sight of the tiny sail and, at the very moment when my companion had whispered, “He is gone,†a glad shout went up in joyous welcome, “Here he comes!â€
I stood watching as the little ship sailed out to sea. The setting sun tinted his white sails with a golden light, and as he disappeared from sight a voice at my side whispered, “He is gone.â€
On the farther shore a little band of friends had gathered to watch and wait in happy expectation. Suddenly they caught sight of the tiny sail and, at the very moment when my companion had whispered, “He is gone,†a glad shout went up in joyous welcome, “Here he comes!â€
Beth: Please accept our deepest heartfelt sympathy for your father’s passing. May he rest in God’s loving arms forever. Semper Fidelis.
Jack, Maddy and I sent our deepest sympathies and condolences. Uncle Joe was a dear man and so good. We understand how it feels to lose a father (having lost our own) and you are all in our hearts and daily prayers. With much love from Laura Barket.
Condolences to the family. I retired from MoDOT and now work at Journagan Construction. I was privileged to know Joe as District Engineer and Chief Engineer at MoDOT.
Mike, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. Even when prepared, losing a parent is never easy and even the best memories don’t make eyes leak less. Hopefully through the tears, smiles and laughter can be found remembering a man that meant so much to all that loved him. Big hugs to you and your family.
All my love, Tracy Eaton
Mike, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. Even when prepared, losing a parent is never easy and even the best memories don’t make eyes leak less. Hopefully through the tears, smiles and laughter can be found remembering a man that meant so much to all that loved him. Big hugs to you and your family.
All my love, Tracy Eaton
Lynn, Thanks so much. What a great message! Greatly appreciate your thoughts!
Thanks so much for the nice message! It means a lot!