Mikel Duane Randleman, 74, of Ocean Shores, Wash. passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, July 31, 2016 at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. Mikel was born on Sept. 16, 1941 in Springfield, Mo. to John Warren Randleman and Dottie Lorene (Owens) Randleman.
Mikel was raised in Snohomish, Wash., graduating from Snohomish High School in 1959. He had also lived in Buffalo, Mo.; Salina, Kan.; Smyrna, Ga.; Seabrook, Texas; Bothell and Bellevue, Wash.
Mikel served in the Air Force from 1961-1964. This was during the Cuban Crisis. He was stationed at Schilling Air Force Base in Salina, Kan. spending his time in a missile silo as part of the 550 Strategic Missile Squad. He was a member of the Air Force Missileers.
Mikel retired as a Tech Designer for Boeing on May 1, 2007. During his career he also worked for Georgia Tech and Lockheed in Marietta, Ga. When the aeronautics industry took a downturn in the 70’s, Mikel worked as a bartender at the Holiday Inn in Atlanta, Ga. and Billy’s Bar & Grill in Kemah, Texas. He had many lively tales of his days working as a bartender during the disco era.
Mikel belonged to the Ocean Shores Men’s Christian Breakfast Group. He enjoyed bartending, gardening, reading and dancing. He was a hot rod hobbyist and a poet. He loved all animals: horses, dogs, cats and had many as pets throughout his life. He had a special place in his heart for Zorro and Bella, his two Shih Tzus that were his daily companions.
Mikel moved to Ocean Shores in Feb. 2013. He enjoyed the peace and quiet of the town, beauty of nature, sound of the ocean and his view of the Grand Canal. He would often say, “I just love it here!” He joked that when he passed away, he should just be rolled into the Grand Canal.
Mikel is survived by his loving wife, Michelle Randleman, sons, Todd Nysether of Whidbey Island, Wash., Randy Randleman of Canton, Ga. and daughters, D’Anne Smith of Rome, Ga., Sonya Kistler of Auburn, Wash. and Dawn Newman of Tacoma, Wash., brothers, Charles Randleman of Kittitas, Wash., Gary Randleman of Mariposa, Calif. and sister, Nancy Simmons of Maricopa, Ariz. Mikel had seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mikel was preceded in death by his father and mother, John and Dottie Randleman.
A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements are entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary of Aberdeen. To sign the online book of memories, please visit www.harrisonfamily mortuary.com.
Donations in his memory are suggested to the North Beach PAWS.