Lawrence A. "Larry" Michaud

He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Joseph A. Michaud; mother, Burris McKinney Michaud; brother, Joseph Armand Michaud; and sister, Lynn Annabel Michaud Haynes; and his beloved furball, Wally.

Larry is survived by immediate family in Baton Rouge: his wife of 41 years, Norma Dyess Michaud; their daughter Lauren Michaud Knotts and her husband Corey; their son, Armand Joseph Michaud and his wife Katy Ryan Michaud; the lights of his life, his four grandsons: Charles (Cal), Cooper, Joseph (Jam), and Benjamin (Benji), ages 5 years to 4 months. Also surviving Larry are his sister, Marcia Michaud-Patterson (Lexington, NC), brother Michael Albert Michaud (Columbia, SC), and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.

Born January 10, 1945, in Hodge, Louisiana, Larry grew up in Bastrop, Louisiana, graduating from Bastrop High School in 1962. He was a member of the Gamma chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and earned two Journalism degrees from LSU: a Bachelor’s in 1966 and a Master’s in 1975. He was immensely proud of serving his country with honor and distinction as a U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Beret) officer from 1969 to 1971.

A gifted writer, dedicated journalist, and documentarian, Larry worked as a reporter for the Baton Rouge State Times until 1981, then as Press Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture until his retirement in 2006. He was particularly passionate about leaving his family a record of their history and authored more than a dozen books on that subject, his extensive travels to more than 70 countries, and other various adventures. He was especially proud of “In Defense of Israel,” chronicling his and his wife’s stint as volunteers assisting the Israeli Defense Forces in 2006, and of his book on the life of his grandfather, Stephen Michaud, and the evolution of American history that occurred therein. Many bookshelves and inboxes around the world hold the stories and snapshots he shared.

Larry was a Jack of All Trades who did a few things “good enough” (he would call in the professionals for plumbing and electric work but could otherwise build a house) and did many things well. In addition to those listed above, other passions included sailing (while a single young journalist, he once sailed to the Bahamas and back “for a story”), genealogy, Biblical archaeology (in addition to military service in Israel, he participated in digs in the Holy Land), history (particularly Louisiana history, evidenced by volunteering as a Docent for the LSU Rural Life Museum), the American West, collecting books, and LSU football.

Most kids call their dads when they need help, but our Dad really did know and could do seemingly everything. Always one for a project, what he didn’t know, he’d be happy to find out or work on.

Since his retirement, he dedicated innumerable hours and significant effort to his family’s house on Lake D’arbonne, which he and his siblings and parents built by hand in the 1970s next door to the Tugwell family. Countless friends and extended family enjoyed vacations and events there over the decades. Larry proudly added a second story onto the house over the course of a decade and he and Norma spent as much time there as possible. It was his happy place.

Planning and hosting annual reunions for his Bastrop High School classmates and his Kappa Sig fraternity brothers, usually at D’arbonne, were some of his favorite activities. He and Norma also hosted hundreds at their annual Michaud Gras party during the Southdowns Mardi Gras parade – to which they invited everyone they befriended on travels around the globe (and in testament to the Michauds’ hospitality and fun-loving nature, these people would come!). They loved welcoming and entertaining Lauren’s friends from college and grad school and friends-of-friends to the party every year.

Larry is the last of a dying breed: men who possess the courage and selflessness to serve their country, their community, and, most of all, their families. His fortitude of character and unwavering conviction made him a role model and hero to many. Many lives were touched - both strangers and friends - by his quiet generosity.

He never wanted to get old or feeble and was blessed to have his wish granted. He was healthy until the day of his death and held on long enough for Norma, Lauren, and Armand to kiss him goodbye — for which they will be eternally grateful.

As the sociologist and philosopher Joseph Campbell wrote: “At some point in their lives, every man must decide whether they are the light, or they are the bulb.” Our Pops’s bulb is shattered — but his light will shine forever. We will mourn the loss of his mind, his vast knowledge of everything, and his stories, and look forward to hearing any that acquaintances and friends want to share.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Shriners Hospital in his honor (or hitting the open road).

To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.rabenhorst.com