Obituary of Michael A. Wickenden

Michael Allan Wickenden passed away at his home in LaBelle, Florida on April 19, 2018. Born in Waco, Texas on May 25, 1938, Mike was the son of the late Aubrey G. Wickenden and Thelma (Leach) Wickenden. Mike is survived by his two children: Keith (Kit) Wickenden of Naples, Florida and Karen (Kevin) Artone of Centreville, Virginia; as well as grandchildren Spencer Wickenden of Jacksonville, Florida, Shea Wickenden of Tallahassee, Florida, Kyle Artone of Richmond, Virginia, and Kolby and Kendall Artone of Centreville, Virginia. He is also survived by his sister Carol Sue Wickenden of Naples, Florida. Mike was predeceased by his wife Brenda Joyce Morris Wickenden and their infant son Kirk. Mike retired from the United States Navy in 1975. He had a 20-year career which included service on several ships, but his happiest years began in December 1965 when he graduated from the U.S. Naval Submarine School. He was an Engineman on two submarines, the USS Segundo and the USS Trutta and he served on the Segundo during the Vietnam War. He received several awards including four Good Conduct Awards, a Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, two Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, a Vietnam Campaign medal and a Vietnam Service Medal. Mike's second career began when he moved to Southwest Florida to work for Exxon in its oil fields in the Sunniland Trend in the Big Cypress National Preserve. He might have told you that he had oil in his blood since his father worked for and retired from "the Company" as they called it. It began as Humble Oil and Refining Company of Texas and eventually became Exxon in 1972. Many of Mike's stories were based on living in company camps in East Texas during the 1940's and 1950's. Mike eventually retired from Exxon in 1993 when Exxon left the Florida oil business. A devoted Catholic, Mike attended mass almost every day after he retired. He was a member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in LaBelle since 1979. His devotion to the Church was strong, and his faith even stronger. Mike never met a stranger and always had a story to tell and re-tell. His two favorite topics were growing up in East Texas living in the Company's camps and the years he served on submarines. A mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, April 27, 2018 at 11:00 am at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in LaBelle with Father Chester Domaszewicz presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 355 S. Bridge Street, LaBelle, FL 33935. Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home - LaBelle