Ronald Michaels, Jr.

Ronald Michaels, Jr (Ron, Ronnie)Ron was born April 26, 1955 in West Patterson, NJ to Ronald Michaels, Sr and Blanche (Kozisky) Michaels.  He grew up in New Jersey attending Katherine Malone Elementary School and graduating from Morris Knolls High School.  After high school, Ron made is way west and attended North Dakota State University-Bottineau Branch.  While there, he met Niki.  After graduation, he returned to New Jersey for a short time, but returned to North Dakota.  He and Niki expanded their wings, and headed west and south to Wyoming, where Ron earned a degree in Wildlife Biology and Environmental Studies.  Ron and Niki were married in March of 1978,  their daughter Morgan Michele joined the family in 1989…thrilled to be a Daddy-Ron made sure to have a weekly Daddy-Daughter date with Morgan.  The family had many adventures moving around the country to a variety of places:  Montana, North Dakota, California, Texas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and finally landing in Tucson.  During his career, Ron was employed first with Koch Industries, then with Western Emulsions, and retiring several years ago from Idaho Asphalt.  Ron loved the health and safety aspect of his career, and enjoyed working hard and making a difference.  During his life, Ron enjoyed all aspects of outdoor life:  hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, camping, and  canoeing.  He was always ready to say “yes” to an adventure.  He also enjoyed cooking, and reading.  He loved spending time with his family and making his wife giggle and blush.  His passion in retirement became woodworking…he said-“My super power is turning a hunk of wood into something cool”.   You knew Ron by his pens and his pocket protector.  Ron was a Fourth Degree Knight of Colombus, and a Friend of Bill.  Ron is survived by his wife Niki, daughter Morgan, grandson Milo, and son-in-law Thomas.  He is also survived by his sisters:  Wendy Posella, Deb Jorgenson, and Rachel and his step-mom Brenda (Maw), as well as various nieces and nephews.  In addition to his siblings, he is survived by his sisters-in-laws:  Connie Forster(Syd), Karen O’Brien, Colleen Lenz, Roxanne Michaels; brothers in law:  Bruce Kessel, Sheldon Kessel and Doug Kessel, as well as many nieces and nephews, and cousins.  He was preceded in death by both of his parents, his brother Dan, his Mother in law and Father in law and his brother in law.