James Michael Stallings "Mike"

James Michael Stallings died at the age of seventy on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Nan Stallings. He is survived by his wife, Susan (married 50 years); son, Mark; daughter-in-law, Leslie; and grandson, Liam Stallings.

Born on August 24th, 1952, in Mobile Alabama, he eventually moved to New Orleans in the 1960s with his family where he lived happily till the end of his life. His younger siblings, Nancy aka “Pancy”, Russell aka “Whipper Dipper”, Billy aka “Bones”, and Ward aka “Ween”, endured decades of shenanigans and proverbial swirlies until the very end. His dear wife, Susan, deserves a purple heart for her efforts to basically keep a wild billy goat tame.

In his late teens and twenties, Mike was a frequent attendee at the Warehouse music venue on Tchoupitoulas and became an Allman Brothers aficionado. While he was enjoying a bouquet of fun in his youth, he also was beginning a vibrant career in construction. Starting as a carpenter he quickly moved up the ranks to superintendent, estimator, and then vice president at Gervais Favrot Construction / Cabildo Construction in the 1970’ & 80s. Recognized for his expertise, he traveled to Japan to assist with the construction of the Japanese exhibit at the World’s Fair in New Orleans in the 1980s. Eventually, he took the leap into starting his own general contracting business. Through hard work and determination, he grew Stallings Construction into a successful business that has lasted 35 years (and counting). His ground-up knowledge and fortitude were drivers of his success in a gritty line of work. He provided for his family by putting in endless hours estimating and running jobs, yet still finding time to take care of his family by doing fun trips, fine dining, and other experiences. An email at 3:00 or 4:00am was a common occurrence when working with Mike who took the early bird gets the worm a little too far. Mike was low key, never seeking attention, but his charitable deeds could not be ignored; he received United Way’s “Hidden Hero” award one week before his passing for going “above and beyond in service to United Way Southeast Louisiana”.

James Mike Stallings, aka Short Pants, aka Meathead, aka Whip, aka Iron Mike, left his mark. He passed away peacefully, at home, begrudgingly finally forced to retire. He loved his friends, family, and the people he worked with dearly.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial gathering at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 from 11:00AM until 2:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mike’s memory to the United Way of Southeast Louisiana, www.unitedwaysela.org.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com