Wilburn A. "Mickey" Crnkovic

Wilburn A. "Mickey" Crnkovic passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026, at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Bossier City, Louisiana. He was born on March 12, 1933, in Zwolle, Louisiana, to Ed Slavko and Frazine Ebarb Crnkovic. Mickey lived a life marked by service, sportsmanship, and deep devotion to family.

A proud graduate of Zwolle High School, Mickey attended Northwestern State College for two years before being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After serving his country for two years, he returned to Northwestern to complete his education. During his time there, he played basketball for two seasons, earning recognition as Team Captain, Most Valuable Player, and All-American Honorable Mention in his senior year. In 2004, he was honored with induction into the Northwestern Basketball Hall of Fame, a testament to his talent, leadership, and lifelong love of the game.

Mickey dedicated his professional life to teaching and coaching at Florien High School, where he inspired generations of students in History, Civics, and Adaptive Physical Education. His commitment to his students extended well beyond academics; he encouraged them to work hard, believe in themselves, and carry integrity into everything they did. As a coach of both the boys' and girls' basketball teams, he built programs rooted in discipline, teamwork, and respect. His influence on the court and in the classroom left a lasting legacy in the Florien community.

In retirement, Mickey embraced the outdoors - hunting, fishing, and tending to his beloved purple hull peas and watermelons. He had a gift for gathering family under the friendly pretense of helping with the harvest, always appearing with a watermelon tucked under his arm and a reminder to save the seeds. His playful spirit and clever tricks became legendary among his nieces and nephews, who remember him with deep affection, laughter, and stories that will be retold for years to come.

Mickey was a man of honesty, generosity, and warmth. He cherished time spent with family at the home place, often grilling ribs or steaks and sharing stories that brought everyone a little closer. His presence was a source of joy and connection, a steady comfort to all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Steve, Joseph, Johnny, Frank, Pete, Helen Crnkovic Byers, and Lois Crnkovic Sava. He is survived by his sister, Josephine Crnkovic Jones, and his brother, Donald Crnkovic, and his wife, Linda, along with numerous nieces and nephews - and, of course, his favorite niece?

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 522 East Flournoy Lucas Road, Shreveport, Louisiana, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Celebrating the Mass will be the Very Rev. Monsignor Rothell Price. Burial will take place at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville, Louisiana at a later date.

The family extends a special thank you to the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home for the kind and compassionate care they provided to Mickey over the past seven years.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the charity of your choice.