He leaves his childhood sweetheart & wife of 58 years, Mary Louise “Sue” Harris Mikels, his son, Vernie “Bubba” Mikels, Jr and his wife Ann and his daughter, Jeanine Little and her husband, Tommy. Grandchildren, T.D. Little and his wife Crystal, Valerie Sanders and her husband Ray, L. B. Mikels, Britny Mikels, and Ashton Thompson and her husband Zach. Great grandchildren, Haleigh Battise, Kaleigh Little, Cade Sanders, Peyton Sanders, Ava Mikels, Angelyn “Rikku” Mikels, Letty Mikels, Nathan VanPutten, Katie VanPutten, and Hennsley Lively, brother-in-law, Wayne Harris and his wife the late, Martha Stutts Harris and niece Lynne Napoleon, her husband Joe and great nephew Justin and his fiancé Kelli.
Vernie was born and raised in Texas City, TX and graduated Texas City High School in 1958.
In his early years, he was a member of the Texas City FFA. Vernie and Sue’s father’s were influential in forming the FFA at Texas City High School. Vernie went on to place Reserve Grand Champion with his Steer. He enjoyed horseback riding, calf roping and rode in the Salt Grass Trail-ride. Vernie worked for George’s Body Shop and was a veterinarian’s assistant for Dr. Curbello and Dr. Scharper. After graduating he was a pipeline welder, owned and operated a shrimp boat, then formed and operated Mikels Construction Co in 1975 as a utility contractor for Houston Natural Gas which is still contracting for Centerpoint Energy. His legacy of Mikels Construction lives on thru his children and grandchildren. He not only took pride in his company but in his employees, many he considered his closest friends.
Vernie had a passion for animals. His dog, Jill, was his buddy. He and Sue formed Exotic Pleasures Ranch in Kennard, TX. They raised Watusi cattle, Elk, Zebras, Ostriches, Emu, Rheas, goats and all kinds of birds.
Vernie was always somewhat of a gypsy. He loved to travel! He visited every state in the USA, Mexico, The Caribbean, Virgin Islands, Bogota, Columbia as well as Europe. He enjoyed boating, water and snow skiing, scuba diving and elk hunting until he decided he’d rather shoot them with a camera.
Vernie is already greatly missed by his family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18