MIKULAS, Roger W.

Roger W. Mikulas 9/6/1946 - 12/10/2010 Roger entered his new life December 10, 2010 after a heart attack at UMC. His generous nature, humor and enthusiasm for life and people will be greatly missed by all who ever knew him. As one friend said, "It is hard to comprehend a world without Roger Mikulas in it." Roger was a loving husband, son, brother, uncle and friend to so many. He was born in Detroit and lived in Michigan until four years ago when he moved with his wife, Kathleen, to Tucson. His career was spent at General Motors as an automotive engineer and his last several years there was as Chief Engineer - Small Car Division. He loved racing cars, particularly Corvettes, as well as riding horses and playing guitar, dulcimer, and singing folk songs. Roger celebrated 23 years of sobriety on February 22, 2010. Most of all, Roger loved being with family and friends - sharing his delightful humor and big heart. Upon retirement and a move to Tucson, he became very active in the recovery and music communities. After an accident while volunteering at the Tucson Folk Festival, Roger established the Mikulas Musicians Fund to benefit Tucson musicians who develop health problems that impact their ability to play music, affecting their incomes. Roger is survived by many loving relatives: his wife of 21 years, Kathleen Harris; sister, Judy (Harold) Cook; brother, Bill (Benita) Mikulas; stepbrother, Tom Powell; stepmother, Edie McKinnon; brothers-in-law, Daniel (Mary) Frantz, David (Peggy) Frantz and James (Patricia) Frantz; nieces, Cindy (Michael) Giusto and Michelle Donnay; nephew, Jeffrey (Kristy) Cook as well as nieces and nephews, Martha (Robert) Burger, Deborah (Marcus) Wilkes, Elizabeth (Christopher) Martino, Julie (Daniel) Farnum, Karen (Daniel) Hayes, Arthur, (AJ) Frantz, Allison Frantz and eight great-nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by mother, Muriel (Tune) Mikulas; father, William Mikulas and natural father, William McKinnon. A Celebration of Roger's life will be held on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel, 8090 N. Northern Ave., Tucson, AZ. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to the Mikulas Musicians Fund, c/o 11344 Cactus Rose Dr., Tucson, AZ 85737.
Posted by Susan on January 11, 2011

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