Joe Thomas Michno

Joe Thomas Michno was born on July 27, 1938, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He left this earth on February 25, 2026, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Joe led a very interesting life, as shown by the way he fondly referred to himself as the "practically perfect Polack." And yes, he truly was great at many things.

He attended school in Bartlesville and went on to Oklahoma State University, where he met the love of his life, Carol Ann Barton. They were married for 62 wonderful years, until Carol Ann's death. From that union was born their son, Michel Joseph Michno of Tulsa. They were also blessed with a grandson, Dr. Michael Joseph Michno II of San Francisco, as well as grandson Carson and granddaughter Alayna of San Francisco.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers, Stephen and John.
He is survived by his brother George; nephew Greg, niece Debbie, great nice Alysia, great nephews Stanton, Carson and grandniece Alysia. his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jean and Bill Thomason of Bixby; and numerous nephews and nieces, as well as sister-in-law Karen Michno.

Joe's profession was as an engineer and metallurgist who worked on the space program at North American Rockwell in Tulsa. After retiring, he began his second career raising plants to beautify the gardens of many homes. You could often find him at the Farmers Market on Saturday mornings selling beautiful bedding plants, or during the Christmas season selling poinsettias.

He was an accomplished baseball player who played on a minor league team in Bartlesville for a time. He loved photography and had a remarkable eye for capturing beautiful images.

Joe enjoyed attending plays and musicals, and he and Carol Ann square danced and clogged together. He was a lifelong Catholic and served as president of the Church of the Madalene men's group. Traveling was a passion he and Carol Ann shared, enjoying many cruises, vacations, road trips, and trips to OSU wrestling matches with friends.

Joe was a sweet and endearing man who, as they say, "never met a stranger." He could strike up a conversation with anyone and quickly become their friend.

He wasn't one for change in certain parts of his life. He worked his very first job at Rockwell until retirement and lived with Carol Ann in their first home for 62 years. That kind of stability is rare, especially in today's world.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Live Well Hospice and Brookdale Broken Arrow for their compassion and excellent care during Joe's illness.

So perhaps Joe was right - he truly was the practically perfect Polack. He was deeply loved and will be so very missed.