Michael Floyd Zicafoose, 70, of Fairmont, passed away after a two-year battle with lymphoma on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. He was surrounded by his family.
He was born March 20, 1953, at Elmendorf Air Force Base Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska, to Donald Eugene Karns and Nancy Joan (Kinch, Zicafoose) Sickles. Michael was adopted at the age of 4 by Fred Livesay Zicafoose when his mother remarried.
After graduating from Farmington High School in 1971, he married Nancy Locke, and they had two sons, Michael and Matthew. In June 2005, Michael married Debra Benedict.
Michael (known as Ziggy) was a coal miner for Consolidation Coal Company (Loveridge Mine) for 40 years. During that time, he held several jobs; outside mechanic, utility man, inside laborer, roof bolter, welder/pipe fitter, underground pumper, electrician and lastly as fan attendant.
Michael loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and angler. He preferred the challenge of bow hunting — whether it was hunting free-range elk in Colorado; hunting deer, black bear, turkey and wild boar; or caribou in Canada. Michael arranged a 2011 trip with friends to Montana’s Yellowstone National Park area to fly fish for trout. This became an annual trip that is still taken by his friends. His most recent interest was musky fishing with his son, Michael, and friends, Roy, Dave, Willard, Bill Sr. and Bill Jr. Michael enjoyed tying his own trout flies and was a master at making wooden musky lures.
He was a champion archer, competing in world-class competitions and winning many prestigious awards. He and his son, Matthew, toured the competition archery circuit, making trips to the I.B.O. Outdoor National Triple Crown, the Vegas indoor archery shoot, the Canadian national championships and many local shoots.
Also an avid golfer, Michael developed many close friendships at Green Hills Country Club. He won some course tournaments and made it to a few tournament shootouts. Any day golfing turned out to be a competition among friends.
After retirement in June 2013, he and Debra enjoyed driving cross country and hiking in numerous National Parks. Michael was a highly-skilled carpenter and helped family and friends with construction projects. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do or fix to perfection. He would just say “Look it up on YouTube!” He enjoyed dancing. Michael could be found swing or line dancing at any event that had music and a dance floor.
Michael is survived and missed by his loving wife of 20 years, Debra Benedict; sons, Matthew Lee Zicafoose and Michael William (Stacey) Zicafoose; his beloved grandchildren, Raegan and Braeden; mother, Nancy Sickles; stepfather Fred Zicafoose; sisters, Virginia Gallion and Mary Mabry; brothers, Joseph Zicafoose and Steven (Nita) Zicafoose, of California; brother-in-law, John (Joyce) Benedict, of Port Matilda, Pa.; several nieces and nephews, many close cousins, aunts and uncles; and former wife, Nancy Zicafoose.
Michael was preceded in death by his youngest sister, Shelly Zicafoose, and father, Donald Eugene Karns.
Michael donated his body to WV Anatomical Board for education and research. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff at UHC and J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital for the care given to Michael during his treatment. A celebration of life gathering for Michael is being planned for a later date.
We are devastated by this huge loss. Michael will be forever missed by all who have come to know and love him. His love was unconditional.
