Alamogordo, New Mexico - Don E. Michael was born, in Joplin, MO, Oct. 2, 1934 and died May 14, 2026, at the age of 91 years. He leaves behind, Shelia, his wife of 71 years, sons, Donnie, wife, Karen; Terry, wife Travis; Jeffrey; daughter, Kelley, husband Mark Wages.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, R.L. and Iva Lee Michael, a bother Lt. Col. A.L. Michael, USAF, RET.

Don attended Joplin Junior College and moved his young family to Tulsa where he earned a degree in Engineering Physics at Tulsa University. From there to Las Cruces, NM and earned a graduate degree in Nuclear Physics. Don spent his professional career at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM. He was later a cattle rancher and active in politics in La Plata County, CO.

Don and Sheila moved back to Missouri to be close to elderly parents and retired from a floor covering and home interiors store in Branson, MO, they then moved back to New Mexico to be closer to their children and family.

Don had a strong Christian faith and was baptized in local Joplin Creek when he was a teenager and he wanted his children to know God. Don asked that any remembrance of him be in support of Bible translation so that all may read in their native language.

Don requested cremation and no formal services.