Obituary - Shawn M. Mickelsen

Wednesday, March 29, 2006
THE JUNEAU EMPIRE

Former Juneau resident Shawn Martin Mickelsen, 22, died March 27, 2006, in Anchorage.

A service will be held at 3 p.m. on March 29 at the Witzleben Bragaw Chapel in Anchorage. Another service will be held at the Juneau Christian Center in Juneau at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, with the visitation starting at 10 a.m. Pastor Mike Rose will officiate. Interment will be at Alaskan Memorial Park in Juneau.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006
THE JUNEAU EMPIRE
JDHS Grad Killed in Crash
By Eric Morrison

Juneau-Douglas High School graduate Shawn M. Mickelson, 22, died after his 2003 Yamaha motorcycle struck the side of 2004 Ford F150 pickup truck Monday morning in Anchorage.

Mickelson was a student at the University of Alaska Anchorage, an F-15 crew chief in the U.S. Air Force and the son of Juneau Police Department Officer Keith Mickelson.

"He was the most kindhearted person ever," said Lionel Uddipa, 21, a friend and former roommate. "He was just always there for his friends and family. He was always willing to give a helping hand."

Speed appears to have been a factor in the accident, Anchorage Police Department Lt. Nancy Reeder said. She said witnesses estimated Mickelson's speed at nearly 70 mph in the 40 mph zone. It was the first motorcycle fatality in Anchorage this year, according to police.

Reeder said the truck's driver, 35-year-old Lawrence Hayward, was turning left into a fast-food restaurant when struck by the motorcycle. The bike's frame shattered.

"That's indicative of a pretty good speed," Reeder said.

Hayward and his passenger were both wearing seat belts and were not injured.

"It's a little early in the investigation, but at this point it doesn't look like there will be any criminal charges filed," Reeder said.

Mickelson appeared to be wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, although it came off in the wreck, Reeder said. It appears that the helmet was not secured properly.

Uddipa said he talked to Mickelson Sunday night and could not believe the news of his friend's death Monday.

"I'm still in shock. I really can't believe it because I'm so used to seeing him every day and hearing his voice," Uddipa said. "I can't believe he's gone. I called his cell phone a couple times to hear his voice and see if he'd pick up."

Uddipa said Mickelson bought the red 2003 Yamaha several weeks ago - the first motorcycle he owned.

Mickelson's Web page on the social networking site MySpace was filled on Tuesday with messages posted to him by friends. A picture of Mickelson at the top of the page shows him dressed in motorcycle gear holding a black-and-red helmet in his left hand.

There are a number of postings going back several weeks that discuss his motorcycle and a few that mention a clutch problem he appeared to have with the bike. One posting regarding the clutch reads, "if ur gonna replace one.. u might as well go bigger and better."

There are also a couple of messages that address motorcycle safety. A posting from March 16 says, "don't ride that damn thing till it warms up a bit. You can't die, cause I don't know who else I'd call at 12:30 at night."

Uddipa said Mickelson was a great friend who will be missed by many people.

"He was just always there for me," he said. "He was there for everyone. He was not mean to a single soul. When he was having a bad day, he never showed it."

A service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Juneau Christian Center, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.