Michael “Mickey” Alan Wilkins September 20, 1947 – September 15, 2026 Michael “Mickey” Alan Wilkins passed away in Fresno, California, on September 15, 2026, just five days before his 79th birthday.

 Mickey was born prematurely on September 20, 1947, in Fresno, California, to Stanley and Dorothy Wilkins. He was the middle of three children, growing up alongside his older brother, Daniel “Danny” Wilkins, who was just 13 months older, and his younger sister, Catherine “Cathy” Aden, who was four years younger.

 Fresno was always home to Mickey. He grew up there and graduated from Hoover High School. As a teenager, he worked at Eddie’s Pastry in Fresno, beginning a lifelong work ethic that would eventually take him across the country and around the world.

 In 1967, Mickey joined the United States Navy, where he served as a firefighter. His military service took him to Guam, Japan, and many other places throughout the world. He was honorably discharged after proudly serving his country. 

Following his time in the Navy, Mickey returned to civilian life and worked for Firestone Tire Company. 

In 1972, Mickey married his first wife, Cyndi Parsons, and they welcomed his first son, Timothy Michael Wilkins.

 A new chapter began in 1973 when Mickey, his brother Danny, and his sister Cathy entered the restaurant business together. Over the years, the family became owners of more than 30 restaurants throughout the country.

 Mickey had a special talent for opening new restaurants. He had a knack for knowing exactly what a new location needed. He hired and trained the crews, developed recipes, organized the operation, and helped bring each restaurant to life. His work often meant moving his young family to new cities as he opened locations and helped build the family business. 

In 1982, Mickey married Laura Wilkins, with whom he would share the many chapters that followed. In 1987, Mickey welcomed his second son, Garrett Alan Wilkins. 

In 1994, Mickey and his family moved to Sevierville, Tennessee. There, he and Laura opened a gift shop inside the family’s last remaining restaurant. Together, they found great joy in meeting visitors and helping tourists find the perfect keepsake and memory of their trips to Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains.

 In 2001, Mickey and Laura returned home to Fresno. Although retired, Mickey never completely stopped working. He spent time helping part-time at his son Tim’s mattress store, always willing to lend a hand. 

Those who knew Mickey knew that he was a character. He was funny, enjoyed making people laugh, and brought his own personality to everything he did. But underneath the humor was a man who truly loved being surrounded by his family.

 Mickey also loved being outdoors and had a special appreciation for plants, trees, and a beautiful yard. He enjoyed planning exactly how the landscaping should look, deciding where things should be planted, and watching his ideas come together. Shopping for plants, trees, and things for the yard was something he genuinely enjoyed. For Mickey, the yard was never really finished—there was always another plant to find, another tree to consider, or another idea for making it look just a little better.

 Some of Mickey’s happiest moments were simply listening to his children and grandchildren tell stories about what was happening in their lives. He loved hearing what the kids were up to and especially loved watching his great-grandchildren, Westyn and Willow, grow, discover the world, and learn new things. Seeing the next generation experience life brought him tremendous joy.

 Family dinners were especially important to Mickey. He enjoyed everyone gathering together, sharing a meal, talking, laughing, and telling stories. And when things were a little quieter, Mickey was perfectly content sitting outside, enjoying the yard he had put so much thought into, or settling in to watch American Pickers or Fox News.

 Mickey was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Dorothy Wilkins; his brother, Daniel “Danny” Wilkins; and his sister, Catherine “Cathy” Aden.

 He is survived by his wife, Laura Wilkins; his sons, Timothy Wilkins and Garrett Wilkins; his grandchildren, Josh Wilkins and Jordan Wilkins; his great-grandchildren, Westyn Wilkins and Willow Wilkins; along with extended family and friends who shared in his life. 

Mickey’s life took him from Fresno to places around the world with the Navy, across the country building restaurants, to Tennessee, and eventually back home again. He worked hard, built businesses, raised a family, and collected a lifetime of experiences and stories along the way.

 But perhaps the best way to remember Mickey is much simpler: sitting outside in a yard he had carefully planned, surrounded by the plants and trees he loved, or sitting around the table with his family, listening to the latest story, laughing and joking, while watching the youngest members of the family grow up before his eyes.

Those were the moments Mickey loved. 

And those are the moments in which he will be remembered most.