Dr. Michael “Mickey” Don Vaclav

 

Dr. Michael “Mickey” Don Vaclav
Dr. Michael “Mickey” Don Vaclav

Dr. Michael “Mickey” Don Vaclav, 74, of Amarillo, TX died on Friday, July 23, 2021.  We will not have services at this time due to COVID.

Mickey was born on June 17, 1947, in Pueblo, CO to John and Juanita Vaclav.  He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1965.  He attended West Texas State University (A&M).  He received his D.D.S. From Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas.  He served in the U.S. Navy for 2 years at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.  He has practiced dentistry in Amarillo since 1975.

Mickey married Marilyn Bangsund in Amarillo, Texas on July 19, 1968.  They raised three kids, Leigh Ann, Michael, and Jonathan.

He loved many things: spending time with his grandchildren, traveling the world with his wife, golfing, fishing, cooking, playing craps in Vegas with friends, listening to music on the porch, drinking wine, planning family get-togethers, coached basketball for his children, taught Sunday School and so many more things.  Mickey loved life and lived it large. We loved his big heart.  Mickey was passionate about dentistry.  He was a Past President of the Panhandle District Dental Association and Texas Dental Association.  He was a Fellow in the American College of Dentists and a Fellow in the International College of Dentists.  He was past chair of the Council on Dental Benefits Programs for the American Dental Association.  He was given the Gold Medal for Distinguished Services for Texas Dental Association.  He was President of Financial Services Incorporated (FSI) for Texas Dental Association.  He was Chair of the Medical Care Advisory Committee for the Department of Health and Human Services for the State of Texas.  He volunteered with Heal the City.

Mickey was preceded in death by his parents, John and Juanita Vaclav of Amarillo, Texas.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Bangsund;  daughter, Leigh Ann Allison and three children, Cade, Zane, and Libby of Pearland, Texas;  son, Michael Vaclav and wife Alison and five children, Elia, Austin, Emerson, Hannah, and Hazel of Austin, Texas;  son, Jonathan “J” Vaclav and wife Jana and two children, Marik and Maggie of Durham, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial donations be made to Heal the City.

29 Replies to “Dr. Michael “Mickey” Don Vaclav”

  1. Marilyn, Herb and I want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Mickey was a talented leader and a special friend with a wonderful, supportive wife.

  2. To Marilyn and the family,

    My sincerest condolences to you on the loss of a truly great person. Mickey was a true gentleman and loved me like a son and I am glad we continued to keep in touch when I moved to Asia. You are both such very special people and I will always treasure my time with him.

  3. I was so sorry to learn of Dr. Vaclav’s passing. I became his patient on his eighth day of practice. He was my dentist since then. He always had a smile on his face and kind words to share. He will be missed very much.

  4. I am just extremely sad, sorry and shocked to hear about Dr. Vaclav’s passing. Deepest regards and well wishes to all of Dr. Vaclav’s friends and family.

    I am an Amarillo native, and for my entire 32 years of life Dr. Vaclav was the ONLY dentist I’ve ever had or ever wanted. There was never an appointment where he didn’t greet me with kindness, familiarity, professionalism, and pleasant conversation. He will certainly be missed and remembered by me and my family.

  5. I just heard Dr. Vaclav passed away. I am heartbroken. He was my dentist for a lot of years, such a wonderful man. He will be truly missed. My prayers go out to his family.

  6. I worked for Mickey for almost 10 years. He was a compassionate and great man! Not to mention the best dentist there ever was! My heart goes out to his family!

  7. We want to offer our most sincere condolences to the Vaclav family. Dr. Vaclav has been our dentist for over 16 years. Not only a wonderful dentist but also a friend. Such a special man. Prayers to the family and the family at Amarillo Dental Associates.

    Bill and Jan Noffsker

  8. So sorry to hear of Mickey’s passing. He was mine and my parents’ dentist for years.

    I remember, Feb. 26, 1990 I had an appointment with him but he had to leave suddenly to go to Lubbock and pick up the brother of my classmate and son of Mickey’s business partner, Dr. Longanecker because Dr. L’s son has died suddenly at school.

  9. So sorry Marilyn to hear of Mickey’s passing. I know it leaves a big hole in your family. Many fond memories of the Vaclavs and basketball. I pray you and your family will find comfort and peace in your memories.

  10. My sincere sympathy to the Vaclav family
    I had the pleasure of being Dr.Vaclav’s assistant 37 years ago. He gave me valuable advice to pursue a career in dental hygiene . After 37 years I am still benefiting from the knowledge I gained from Dr . Vaclav. He was an extremely talented Dentist and excellent employer .
    Rest In Peace

  11. Dr. Vaclav and his precious wife Marilyn were my Sunday School teachers in Junior High and had a huge impact on my life. One day in Sunday School I had a bad toothache and Dr. Vaclav stuck his finger in my mouth and called in pain killers. I loved their whole family. My love and condolences to the whole family and thanks for very precious memories. So very sorry.

  12. Mickey was a great man and passionate about dental care for all. I had the privilege of working with him to preserve funding for the Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation many years ago. He will be missed,

  13. Marilyn……so sorry……words are so inadequate to say how much I enjoyed hearing Mickey laugh….especially when we had just realized another win….whether with a TDA issue or at the Vegas table!
    I will always see his big smile when I remember our times together.
    My prayers are with you and your family….if I can ever help out in any way from the South Texas sector…..please let me know!

  14. I am deeply sorry to hear about the passing of my friend and Doctor (Dr. Michael Vaclav). After reading his Obit, it tell about all the positions he held in the dentistry, but the position I’m grateful for, was he was my dentist for thirty-nine years! I’m going to miss the conversations he had , like the time He played in the 3 on 3 tournaments each year! The times we talked about our families and so on! There is so much I can say, But the one thing I will say, I will miss MY Friend!!!!!!

  15. Sorry to hear that a great father, dentist and good man has left us. Enjoyed the years when our kids played basketball and our good times coaching youth basketball. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family. God bless all of you.

  16. He leaves a huge hole in the dentistry profession and in the hearts of long time patients. We have been patients since 1975 and considered him the best.
    Our sincere condolences and prayers
    to his family and his staff.
    May he rest in the peace of Christ.
    Harmon and Linda McCurdy

  17. We are deeply saddened to learn that Mickey passed on, and our hearts reach out to you, Marilyn, and your entire family. Not only was Mickey the best dentist we had ever known but his friendship and camaraderie meant so much to us. May the lovingkindness and caring of others bring peace to your hearts. May Mickey’s place in the universe be sweet and harmonious befitting this wonderful man , and may the memories of all the good times together lift your spirits. Our loving embrace, Sue and Marty Cohen

  18. I appreciated my time as your assistant. You taught me many things not just about dentistry but about the world and I enjoyed all of your stories and jokes. Thank you for being such a big influence in my life. I miss you more than you can know.

  19. This comes as such sad news. Mickey was a good and true friend. My heart goes out to you, Marilyn and to the “kids” as well. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

  20. He will be missed by so many. What a lovely man. My sympathy goes out to you all who he loved so much.

  21. You will be missed
    You were a good friend and great Dentist.
    Enjoyed our conversations in and out of the chair. Still can’t believe your gone.

    I know how proud you were of your children. You mentioned often during our visits.

    Prayers for your family.

  22. My deepest sympathies Marilyn, Jerry, and family. May Mickey and Philip be playing baseball together again on their own Field of Dreams. All my love, Sharon Lamka Hegeman💔

  23. Marilyn–

    I’m so terribly sorry to hear this news. All of us knew that Mickey was a great man and a great person many, many years ago and he certainly proved us right. I know a lot of his greatness came from the love and support he always received from his wonderful wife.

    Please know that I am thinking of you at this time and hurting for you.

    Gayle Ansley (Cook)

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