Gene Everett Michel, beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away at home in Frisco, Texas, on Sunday, December 4, 2022, after a bout with lung cancer. He had enthusiastically celebrated his 91st birthday in August. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His kind heart and genuine nature will never be forgotten.
Gene was born to George and Helen (Grant) Michel in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on August 30, 1931. He frequently told stories of growing up on a farm, including about Depression-era austerity and riding his pony to carry water to workers in
the fields. He attended a one-room country school for nine years and then high school in Marion, Iowa, where he was active in music, track, and theater.
Dr. Michel graduated from the University of Iowa with bachelor’s and medical degrees followed by a medical internship at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He then served two years as a captain and paratrooper in the US Army,
stationed mostly at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He spent the next forty years practicing family medicine, first in Sac City, Iowa, and then in Cherokee, Iowa. Dr. Michel was certified in Family Medicine and was President of the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians in 1980. Dr. Michel retired in 1999.
Gene married Marilyn J. Tyler on September 5, 1953. Born to them were four daughters: Denise, Amy, Brenda, and Karen. He married Donna R. Hinrichs on September 25, 1969. They settled in Cherokee, Iowa, in 1970 and welcomed their son, Doug, a few years later.
He enjoyed numerous hobbies in his 91 active years, including boating, sailing, flying, singing, acting, baking, bird watching, bridge, golfing, traveling, farming, handyman projects, and watching Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball games. He was very involved in the Presbyterian church, serving in several roles, including as youth leader, choir member, ordained deacon and elder, and member of the board of trustees. He gave back to his communities in many ways, including through organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Flying Club, Masonic Lodge, American Red Cross, Cherokee Community Theatre, and Cherokee Symphony Orchestra. He served as Cherokee County Medical Examiner & Coroner. He also spent countless hours timing swim and track meets, assisting the elderly with various needs, and helping anyone in medical distress.
Survivors include his loving wife of 53 years, Donna Michel, and daughters Denise Alaimo of Austin, TX, Amy (Bill) Hindman of Forney, TX, Brenda Plato of Grapevine, TX, Karen (Brian) Malcolm of Whitehouse, TX, and son Doug (McKenna) Michel of Dallas, TX. Other survivors include 7 grandchildren: Andy (April) Muller, John (Tifani) Palmer, Kristin (Carl) Eller, Matthew (Hayley) Malcolm, Heather Plato, Keller Michel, and Everett Michel; 2 step-grandchildren: Rob (Dana) Hindman and Kelly Johnson; 7 great-grandchildren: Collin and Emma Muller, Beau and Charlotte Eller, Parker and Preston Palmer, and Grace Malcolm; 7 step-great-grandchildren: Taylor and Dawson Hindman, Makenzie, Ashley G, and Hunter Gibson, Ashley J and Samantha Johnson; a brother: Dennis Michel; a nephew: Gary McPherson; and a niece: Michelle (Craig) Buhman.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law, Brian Alaimo, and sister, Beth McPherson.
Services will be held at 3:00 PM, Friday, December 16 th at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 5871 Virginia Pkwy, McKinney, TX.
In lieu of flowers, memorials for Gene may be given to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 Virginia Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75071, or Faith Presbyterian Hospice, 12477 Merit Drive, Dallas, TX 75251.
