Micah Joel Tice

The Micah Joel Tice SAR Foundation will primarily be used for educational purposes to be an ongoing Search And Rescue resource and to encourage better collaboration of current resources among the various communities. An immediate educational emphasis will be to encourage the passing of national legislation to remove existing barriers to intergovernmental agency cooperation in Search And Rescue.

Thank you for helping future missing hikers and their families.

micahjoelticesar.com

BIOGRAPHY UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

CADET CANDIDATE MICAH JOEL TICE

EDUCATION

2017-2018 College of Southern Nevada and University of Nevada, Las Vegas,

Air Force ROTC

ASSINGMENTS

June 2016 – June 2018 Nellis AFB

July 2018 USAFA Prep School

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

AF Training Ribbon

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

2018 Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Team of the Year Award

Cadet Candidate Micah Tice was born in Richardson Texas on August 27, 1998. In 2016 he enlisted in the Air Force Reserves as a 2A337A (Aircraft Mx). From Jun ’16 to Jul ’18 he worked as an F-22 Crew Chief at Nellis AFB. He enrolled at the University of Nevada where he attended Reserve Officers’ Training Corps until he accepted an appointment to the Prep School in July of 2018. At the Prep School he was assigned to Bravo Squadron, and was determined to be the best. He excelled militarily, physically, and academically (3.5 GPA). Micah’s greatest academic strength was proven by the fact that he passed Calculus I, II and III Math Proficiency Exams. His enjoyment and skill in math, as well as his desire to help others, made Micah a highly sought after tutor by other cadets. Micah spent most of his free time tutoring others to the point that he only slept a few hours each night. He often chose to help everyone he could and left his own work until last. It was not uncommon to find Micah “bobbing for apples” during briefings and class.

Micah also chose to give many of his weekends supporting Habitat for Humanity and as a soccer walk-on, where he played as a defender. As a result, he helped garner the 2018 Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Team of the Year award. Micah will continue to be remembered by all residents of the newest Habitat for Humanity neighborhood, “Micah’s View”, which is named in honor for recognition of his character and selflessness.

Micah pushed not only himself, but those around him to be their best. He was selfless, confident, and headstrong and loved to compete against his peers in all areas. Everything was a challenge. His appetite was legendary as was the fear of many all-you-can-eat sushi bars. In short, Micah was the real deal, the whole package. All who knew him loved and appreciated him. He is greatly missed.

Micah had an infectious smile and zest for life. Micah was driven, and was not content to travel via the wide pathway. Micah instead chose the narrow course, the one less traveled. His attendance at the Prep School is an excellent example. He was not the average Prep student. Micah was prior enlisted Air Force Reservist at Nellis Air Force Base. He applied 3 times to get into the Air Force Academy. He attended ROTC at UNLV when he received the offer to attend the Prep School. The Air Force Academy would mean starting over, and his credits from UNLV would not help him graduate any sooner. So, it is impressive that Micah elected to attend the Prep School with hopes of earning an appointment, when the easy path (of a full ride scholarship and much shorter time to graduation and commission as an officer) was laid at his feet. That is the type of person Micah was… There should be no doubt that he would have made an exceptional officer. His drive and dedication speaks for themselves. Micah was a role model to those of us privileged to know him.

It is true that we will miss Micah greatly. He was a patriot, classmate, mentor, believer, beloved son and brother. Micah improved those around him. His life has purpose. He enriched those he encountered. Through his life he showed us how to live… he walked the narrow path.

One of the many things that made Micah special was his love for the Lord. Not only did he sacrifice his time during the weekdays, he never missed a Wednesday night at the SPIRE Bible Study or Chapel on Sundays. His commitment to assisting the chapel staff earned him a White Rope during the 1st quarter. Micah showed the love of God and made it a point to honor Him. In fact, many believe that Micah intended to honor God on that November Day on Longs Peak. Micah was an avid hiker with a goal to climb as many of Colorado’s 14ers as possible. He loved hiking and loved the time he could have alone with God while enjoying the beauty of his marvelous creation. As he prepared his backpack that morning, he packed the essentials… water, lip balm, sunscreen, food items, extra clothes… and a Bible. Yes, one of the items Micah chose to carry up the highest mountain in Colorado was a Bible. We can imagine that Micah intended to read some of his favorite scripture passages as he talked with God and gazed upon the beauty of God’s creation. When Micah was found, his opened Bible was with him. We know that Micah kept the faith up until the end.