Michael "Mike" Metcalf

Micheal Phenix Metcalf, affectionately known as Mike or Mickey, was born March 28, 1940, in Amarillo, Texas to Mildred and C.P. Metcalf. Mike peacefully passed away at home, surrounded by his family January 26, 2026, at the age of 85 in Dallas, after a long battle with cancer. He graduated from Dalhart High School in 1958, and from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science, while serving in the Corps of Cadets in 1963. Viewing will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026 from 12 pm - 8 pm with the family accepting visitors from 7pm - 8 pm at Dalhart Funeral Home.  A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday January 31, 2026, at Central Methodist Church, Dalhart Texas. Arrangements have been entrusted to Dalhart Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

He went on to earn his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law School in 1966, and Judge Advocate General’s School at the University of Virgina later that year. Later in life, Mike became formally accredited as a professional mediator through the National Mediation Academy in Dallas, Texas.

Mike was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army in 1963. Upon graduation from law school, he served 4 years in the Unites States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where he was stationed in Taipei, Taiwan. Among various other responsibilities, he served as legal advisor to the Commander of MAAG-China.

Upon completion of his tour of duty in 1969, Captain Metcalf continued his military career as an appointed Chief, Military Justice and was responsible for the oversight of all military trials at Fort Hood, Texas. His decorations include the Army Commendation Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1970.

In 1971, Mike was appointed as the District Attorney for the 69th Judicial District, in Dumas, Texas, a position he held until 1975. He later became the District Judge serving until 1978. Following his time on the bench, he formed his law firm partnership, Metcalf and Minkley. His commitment to fair and effective dispute resolution earned him an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell in 1980 and he maintained that rating to the present.

In February 1990 he relocated to Dallas, Texas and joined the Turley Law Firm, where he was involved in several cases setting legal precedent. Mike was certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law in 1991. In 1997 he started his own mediation and arbitration practice. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity, and Pi Chiao Law Society.

Mike was a dedicated worker, working tirelessly until, shutting down his mediation practice in early January of 2026. Mike practiced law to help people. He has donated his time on a pro bono basis to assist indigent persons in the Dallas Bar Association's Equal Access to Justice program and accepted the call from the American Trial Lawyers Association's pro bono effort to represent a person severely injured from the attacks on September 11th.

Mike served as a member of the Rotary Club in Taipei and in Texas; he is a Deacon and Elder in the Christian Church and was a member of Northway Christian Church in Dallas, Texas.

Mike loved traveling, with Florence Italy being his home away from home. He learned Italian, and he learned Mandarin, during his service in Tawain, and practiced both frequently with people in his community. He loved fast cars, driving his Ferrari until the end. He was a global traveler, an avid reader, and loved art. Mike’s love of family and history led him to travel and study his heritage through genealogy, learning the history of his family, dating back centuries.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents C.P. “Pete” and Mildred Metcalf and sister-in-law Diana Metcalf. He is survived by his two children Amy and husband Adam Bowers of Dalhart and his son, Chris of Amarillo; three grandchildren, Braxton and wife Caroline Bowers of Lubbock, Addison Bowers of Amarillo and Conner Metcalf of Amarillo and one great-grandson Beau Bowers of Lubbock; his significant other Susan Potter of Dallas; his sister Nancy and husband Vernon Bryant, II of Ft. Worth, and brothers Jerry Metcalf and wife Sharon of Houston and Keith Metcalf of Dalhart as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mike will be remembered not only for his legal acumen but also for his kindness, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the constitution and the justice of the law.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society. The family would like to thank Mike’s Legal Assistant and friend, Tracy Ann Wickstrom, and Drs. Kirkpatrick and Fleschler for their care and friendship.