Tributes

Donald Ray Mickler, Jr., was born on July 9, 1969, in San Antonio, Texas, and entered into eternal rest on December 17, 2025, in San Antonio at the age of 56. He attended the Antelope Valley Community College in California and the University of Texas at San Antonio, focusing on achieving an Associate’s in web design, graphic design, and screenwriting. As a member of a military family, he lived a childhood full of travel and adventure. The food, culture, and traditions of the countries he lived in helped shape the man he became. He discovered Cadbury chocolates in England. He trudged through and played in never-ending snow in Germany. He loved the lamb kabobs, admired the whirling dervishes, and risked his life learning to drive on winding roads in Turkey. He found his people and developed a lifelong passion for D&D in Portugal. As an adult, he was a giant in presence and personality. He was loud and passionate about everything he loved—his family, his friends, his art, anime, and roleplaying. All who knew him knew his opinions and beliefs. If you ever played a game with him, you knew his sense of fairness and ambition to win. He gave generously. The things he loved he shared. He wanted his family and friends to experience his joy. The silence he left behind will be deafening. An artist and a storyteller, he created beauty and drama. He put all his effort into every sketch, story, and campaign he crafted. He challenged people to think deeper, explore more, and work harder. In addition to hundreds of sketches and images, he has created witty yearbook covers, awe-inspiring car skins for a video game, fantastical book covers, humorous Christmas cards, a whimsical comic strip, a dark graphic novel, a dramatic tattoo design, imaginative stories, thought-provoking screenplays, and numerous extraordinary D&D and Savage Worlds campaigns. Everyone who saw, read, heard about, or experienced his creations was given a gift. Donald R. Mickler, Jr., is survived by his mother, Rosi; his sister, Kristene; his brother, Randy; and his cat, Nageesa. He leaves behind his aunt, Eva; his close cousin, Oscar; and his close family friend, Robbie, as well as many more cousins throughout the U.S. Don will be greatly missed. May the Lord welcome Don into His eternal peace and may His comfort and strength surround him.

Tributes

Donald Ray Mickler Jr.

July 9, 1969 - December 17, 2025