JIBC is a great mentor who forgot more about Delta and flying that most of us will ever learn.  
So sorry to hear about his final trip West.   Keep turning left my friend.  
- Jethro

Sorry to hear of Jon’s passing.  
      I knew Jon from working with him at Delta Air Lines back when I was young new-hire pilot.   He was the kind of guy I looked up to….a truly a larger than life figure.   He was loved and respected by many.   I recall being among his many friends there to meet him during his retirement flight over 20 years ago, which seems like yesterday.   Hard to believe he’s flown west into the sunset.   Deepest condolences to Jon’s family.

It hurts our hearts to lose Jon. He was smart, strong, witty, & fun, larger than life itself.  For most of our lives Jon was gone. Flying high over the earth, defending us all. When he retired we reunited. He camped in our driveway here in Huntington, IN, his hometown. The cousins drove all over the county remembering their youth. We both had RV's and met at Talladega where he introduced us to "mudbugs". Texas Motor Speedway where we were his guests at The Speedway Club. So generous and fun. We met all of his friends, which were many and had so many good times. So glad we had these years together. 
Peace be with you Jon Mickley! With love, Gary & Nancy

This is what he said as a Delta Airlines Pilot to his passengers before takeoff:
Butts down,
Bags up,
Tush in the cush,
Before we push.

So Jon!😊

Sorry to hear of Jon's passing, he was longtime classmate and fairly close neighbor. Had some conversations with him and he was always nice. He accomplished so much for our country, and I appreciate that. Diana Bonewitz Sell

My condolences to the family from a former classmate.

I had gone to school with John from Elementary to High School! We knew each other well. My Condolences to his family.

Rest in Peace Uncle Jon.

We are sending thoughts of comfort, healing and peace to Barbara, Alyssa, my Dad (Jon's brother Joe) and the rest of the Mickley family during this time.

Ann (Mickley), George & Addison Strahota

Dear Jon, 
Bruce and I sure will miss you! You allowed us to share driving your cars to car shows. Letting Ian and his friend ride with you on the Santa Fun Run. They loved that! I will miss your saying of  "Here comes the Judge" at our Louisiana Mopar Nationals shows. You have been such a organizer for the show and the judging, for so many years, and filling the Board Member at Large position. You let Bruce buy your Bultaco Motorcycles, which he will always treasure. I'm so glad you won the big money this year at the meeting (your welcome, as I reminded you to come....LOL).  Looking thru the pictures, you lived an amazing life, and I'm so glad we were blessed to know you. You have received another set of wings to fly high!

Jon’s life and service leave behind an inspiring legacy. I’ve heard stories over the years from my dad that reflect his strength, commitment, and love of flying. Sending heartfelt sympathy to Barbara, Alissa, my Dad, and all who loved him.

It really didn’t matter if it were Indy,Texas,Mid Ohio or wherever the race was you Sir always made It more memorable  I thank you for all the memories Colonel…. The Jarhead

Jim Struble
Fellow KC-10 and Delta Pilot

I first met Jon in the 1980s when I transferred from  C-141 reserves to Jon's KC-10 squadron. And it was HIS squadron, from the OPEC call signs and the  de-briefing casual bar to the "Joe Bagodonuts" name tags.  I learned that Jon was a great pilot but most of all realized he was a great commander, both in the air and on the ground.
Jon later joined many of us at Delta Airlines where he continued to fly, command and lead  the pilots and flight attendants who had the honor to be on his crew.
Jon was a "presence" and if he was in the same pilot lounge or O-Club as you, EVERYONE knew he was there!
At his retirement I toasted Jon and will repeat that toast now:
"Jon, thank you for being the best commander and friend a pilot could have and I would gladly fly on your wing through the Gates of Hell!"
God Bless Jon Mickley

Our deepest sympathies for your family at this difficult time.

Mr Jon was a blessing to our street on Halls Trail and he will be missed. Always one for a hearty conversation no matter the subject but my fondest memory will always be when our cat, Harley Jeaux, disappeared Mr Jon walked up and down the street with me, looking all over and keeping an eye out for him. Ms Barbara was always watching the kiddos and loving the kitties! Our hearts are broken for her and prayers abound for you all. 

Crystal and Alan Heard
3125 Halls Trail

Jon was a fantastic friend and college.  He was always really quick with stories about his RV  “Rollin’ Thunder” and always making jokes about the “NASCAR Rulebook”.

He was bigger than life, bright, a little brash, but always kind, patient and thoughtful.  

We lost touch over the years but his friendship still lives on with me, years after I’ve last seen him.

Thank you, Jon.

Jon was Joe’s  younger brother and only sibling. We will certainly miss him, He lived life to the fullest. Joe has many great memories  of their years growing up together in Huntington, Indiana. Jon’s passion  was flying, We are so very proud of his 28 years of service as a pilot for the US Air Force. We know he is now flying with the angels. We love you,

Just saw this on FB. I am so sorry for your loss. Roland Hatcher was my dad. We would see Jon when we visited my grandparents (Hugh and Effie Hatcher).  When my older sister, Carla, was little she started calling Bernice, "Granny Bernice" and we always spent time with "Granny Bernice" and Uncle Vaughn when we were in Huntington on our way to Kenton. Anyway, Jon was older than us so we always looked up to him. He would play with us and chase us around when he was home from college. Then, having a cousin who was a pilot in the Air Force made us all very proud. He was so handsome in his uniform. The pictures you have posted are very familiar to me. 

Please accept my sincere condolences. He was a good man. 

Love, 

Laurie (Hatcher) Paul

So sorry to hear that Jon had passed and flew west. Jon was an excellent pilot, pilot instructor, and Squadron Commander. He was a key factor in building the 78th Air Refueling Squadron to be a great KC-10 refueling unit. He will be missed!

Jon lived his life out loud and he did it his way. You gotta admire a guy like that. He was a really good commander because he always had your back. He looked you square in the eye, whether his next sentence was going to be good or bad.  He made sure to always have fun. In 1985, I was leaving active duty to go fly for the airlines, but I wanted to finish my career in the Reserves. After I met some of the fellas and bought a few beers, Jon and the staff asked my old unit for a report on me. Evidently, the Ops Officer said “There’s 2 things about Mckinney—he’s got golden hands and a big mouth.”  To which Jon supposedly said “Hell, let’s hire him, he sounds a little bit like me!”  Ha ha, see you in the afterlife, Jon…

Blaine McKinney

Jon was a wonderful pilot and leader who walked the talk. I was quite intimidated by his bravado when I first joined the squadron in the spring of 1982. Then when I was assigned as his copilot to work the Washington State Airshow a few months later, I relaxed because I could see he was a trusted mentor and excellent instructor who loved sharing his knowledge.

We will miss him!

I just finished reading Nancy’s memory…Indeed, we were all very close growing up in Huntington.  The Saddle Club, Church, fishing trips, reunions; the occasions seemed at times to be continuous.
  
Jon and I particularly enjoyed letting our mothers know that we were convinced there had been a mix up at the hospital and we were sent home with the wrong mother.  That little game backfired when both mothers took that as a reason to have the equal authority to discipline either of us.
  
I am sorry to say that I have not seen Jon in many years.  That’s the downside of moving in different directions to do different things.  I will look forward, one day, to seeing  him again and extending for eternity what I did not hold onto as tightly here as I should have...

I just finished reading Nancy’s memory…Indeed, we were all very close growing up in Huntington.  The Saddle Club, Church, fishing trips, reunions; the occasions seemed at times to be continuous.
  
Jon and I particularly enjoyed letting our mothers know that we were convinced there had been a mix up at the hospital and we were sent home with the wrong mother.  That little game backfired when both mothers took that as a reason to have the equal authority to discipline either of us.
  
I am sorry to say that I have not seen Jon in many years.  That’s the downside of moving in different directions to do different things.  I will look forward, one day, to seeing  him again and extending for eternity what I did not hold onto as tightly here as I should have here...

Its hard to believe I'll never see you again.  Its been years, but we were in touch on Facebook and he have shared old family photos now and again. Jon was my cousin and in our early days family was also our social life, so Jon and Joe were like another set of brothers.  We were together at church, holidays, and weekend adventures.  Someone here mentioned the spoon hanging from the nose trick; my Dad taught him  that skill set. I'm pleased to hear he continued to use it effectively.  Jon, cousin Gary, and my brother Steve were born within hours of each other.   They remained good friends all their lives. 
 We also were all members of the Huntington Saddle Club where while our parents did whatever they did, we had run of acres of land, a forest and a creek.  Jon was always the instigator of questionable activities that the rest of us accepted without question.  As the girl in the group, I was often the only one that got in trouble for being filthy and out of sight too long.  Jon had a stage whisper that could be heard for miles.  I can close my eyes and hear it even now. One never wondered about Jon's viewpoint on any subject.  A trait I always admured as I was likely to almost always agree.  I somehow was sure Jon would outlive all of us.  Just knowing he was out there meant my family memories were still in good  hands.

Sorry to hear about Jon's passing. I met Jon in 1978 at Grissom AFB. He and Rusty Olson were hiring pilots for the new Tanker reserve unit, the 931st Air Refueling Group. Jon was larger than life and a great pilot. He was a Boilermaker and I was a Hoosier but we became good friends. Jon was responsible for me getting a CFIC slot at Carswell. He took care of his pilots. I learned a lot about aviation from him. We had dinner at the O'club with my mom and dad, he had them laughing all night, especially when he hung a spoon from his nose at the dinner table. I partied with him at the Indy 500 in the coke lot where he was deemed the "Major" . ESPN once interviewed him there. He was fun to be around , lots of great memories, may he rest in peace. Mark Cole

I remember hanging out with Alissa her daddy would always ask if we wanted to go for a ride in the roadrunner. Of course we wanted to go for a ride.  We would load up in the car and back in the garage he would park her…. Never failed that is far as we ever went and we fell for it every time!!!  😊

What a shock.  To me Jon was indestructible, a legend who would live forever.  He was smart and dedicated to doing the right even if it meant having his actions severely scrutinized by higher ups.  He epitomized the meaning of integrity.  As others have said, Jon was a great commander who anticipated operational problems and saved many KC-10 deployments.  I'll miss you Jon Boy.  Fly well.

Jon was the only pilot I ever met that was as good as he said he was… good bye to a comrade and fellow Hossier.. 
Ted White

Jon was  unquestionably the best commander I ever served under. He always had our backs and made whatever we had to do fun. He will be missed. 🥲

I was never able to join Jon at the Indy 500 but I always think of Jon when I watch the race knowing that If I went I would be able to find him under the “WELCOME A.. HOLES” sign attached to his motor coach. 

You are definitely a legend Jon Mickley

Doug Morin

My Esse ... I can't imagine how difficult this time is for you. I know we are far apart but I am with you in spirit.  Dad was the most amazing, generous, smart, funny, witty, and caring person I have ever met and I am forever grateful that I was able to get to know him. I know his legacy will live on through the love and values he instilled in you. You are my shining light - I love you unconditionally and always.  I am so very sorry.

Jon was one of the finest pilots l have Flown with during my 38 year career.  He will be truly missed.
"Another warrior flew west."

Jon was a comrade, friend, and  Commander.  In almost 33 years in the service Jon was the best Squadron Commander I served under.
    He was also one of the best pilot that I ever flew with.
   I will miss him as will so many others. But he will remain in our hearts.

OBITUARY

Lt Col Jon E. Mickley , USAF (Ret.)

August 7, 1943 – May 22, 2025

Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home & Park

Show your support

Send Flowers

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Past Services

Visitation

Celebration of Life