Alva Review-Courier -

Michael Dean Michaelis, age 58, passed away on July 9, 2019. Mr. Michaelis was born July 24, 1960, to Gilbert and Roberta Michaelis. He was a 1978 graduate of Alva High School. He went on to earn a bachelor of science in mathematics from Oklahoma State University. Mr. Michaelis met the love of his life in college and married his wife, Dana, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 1986.

Captain Michaelis spent 27 years as a pilot with American Airlines, and served three years as the National Safety Committee chairman for the Allied Pilots Association beginning in 2007, and resumed his chairmanship with the APA in 2016. He earned his certification in aviation safety and security from the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering in 2008. He served in the United States Air Force for 28 years using the call sign "Taz." He attained the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring in 2010. Mr. Michaelis flew F-16s with the 457th, 62nd, and 13th fighter squadrons. He also served at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

One of his greatest pleasures was volunteering with the NORAD Santa Tracker program on Christmas Eve. Mr. Michaelis volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America and was the founding scoutmaster of Troop 555 and previously served as scoutmaster of Troop 928, both in Southlake, Texas. He completed two treks at the Philmont Scout Ranch, served on staff at the 2013 National Boy Scout Jamboree, and was an NRA certified shooting sports instructor. He completed BSA's Wood Badge leadership course, and later served as staff on other Wood Badge and NYLT courses.

He is survived by his wife, Dana; their daughter, Michaela of Argyle, Texas; and their sons, Austin and Brandon Kyle also of Argyle, Texas. He is also survived by his siblings, Patricia Michaelis, B.J. Michaelis and Dale Michaelis, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation with the family will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, at Milestone Church located at 201 Mount Gilead Rd., Keller, Texas 76248. The funeral service will follow the visitation at 11 a.m. at Milestone Church. Burial services will be at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, July 18, at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Attendees should be at the cemetery Public Information Center at 10 a.m. in order to join the processional to the committal shelter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Allied Pilots Association Emergency Relief and Scholarship Fund, 14600 Trinity Blvd., Suite 500, Fort Worth, Texas 76155-2512.