Mickey Joe Ice

Mickey was born in Thomas, Oklahoma, on January 29, 1952, to Donald and Pauline (Didier) Ice.

He went to his Heavenly Home on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at the age of 73.  He was battling Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) at the time of his death.

Mickey lived in the Fay area as a child and attended Fay schools through his Junior year. When the Fay School closed down, Mickey chose to spend his Senior year at Thomas. After graduation, he attended  Okmulgee Tech to pursue a career in heating and air. After graduating from Okmulgee Tech, he went to work with Willie Cruts, who had an established business in heating and air. That’s where he met his future wife.

Mickey and Debra Cruts were married December 19, 1975. To this union, three precious 

and amazing children were added, to make the perfect family. Mickey and Debbie were blessed with one daughter, Trisha  and two sons, Heath and Ray.

Mickey ventured into the oil fields, working for his father-in-law. He spent several years learning the ropes of running a rig. One day he was given the opportunity to attend mud school in Huston, Texas and he accepted. He became a drilling fluids engineer. He found that he loved this part of the oil field and worked for 36 years in this field before retiring. In Mickey’s spare time he raised cattle and farmed.

Mickey and Debbie moved their family to eastern Oklahoma in 1993 where they bought a house at Snake Creek, near Lake Tenkiller. Mickey had boat storage units, trailer spaces and an antique store on the property next to his home. He spent time with family and friends skiing and riding wave runners. When the kids started driving, he sold everything and the family moved  to Tahlequah where his children were already attending school.

Mickey never met a stranger. He would introduce himself and strike up a conversation with everyone he met. He could talk about anything people were interested in talking about. Heath said to his mother one time that if there wasn’t anyone for dad to talk too while getting gas, he would talk to the gas pump! When Mickey and Debbie were traveling in their motor home, they would get set up in an RV park and each evening Mickey would take out the trash. Debbie would get her book to read because she knew he wouldn’t be back for a couple of hours because he would stop and visit with everyone along the way. Mickey was a very loving husband and father. He was a kindhearted, generous and caring man. When anyone needed help, Mickey was always there to help. He was an avid reader, and he loved to travel, go to auctions, estate sales, antique stores and junk stores. He collected marbles, “Ice House” neon beer lights, and oil field memorabilia. Mickey just loved life and being around family, friends, the Fay community, and attending the Fay Wild Game Feed every year.

Mickey was preceded in death by his son, Heath Cruts Ice, his father, Donald Eugene Ice, and a brother, Danny Clifford Ice. He is survived by his wife Debra, of the home in Tahlequah, a daughter, Trisha Diane Ice of Tahlequah, and a son, Edward Ray Bowdler-Ice of Tahlequah. Also, surviving him is his mother, Pauline Blanche Ice of Fay, a brother Rickey Gene (LaNae) Ice of Thomas, and a very special uncle Bill (Priss) Ice of Watonga, and many cousins and friends.

Mickey was truly a very special person with a heart of gold. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and loved him. His memory will live on in our hearts.

Services for Mickey will be Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Fay gymnasium in Fay, Oklahoma, under the direction of Wilkinson Mortuary of Watonga. 

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Mickey Ice to:

The Fay Community 

P. O. Box 102

Fay, Oklahoma

OR

Fay Senior Citizen’s Center 

% Jan Stinson

82804 Custer

Fay, Oklahoma 73646