Michot Jr. leaves behind a legacy of achievements

Former legislator, one-time gubernatorial candidate, World War II veteran, prominent businessman and civic leader Louis Joseph Michot Jr. died in his native Lafayette on Tuesday. He was 89. Born in 1922, Michot served four years in the Marines during World War II as an anti-aircraft battery gunner officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise; during that time he participated in 10 combat missions in the Pacific Theater. Following his service, he was elected to the Louisiana Legislature from Lafayette Parish in 1959. A candidate for governor in 1963, he was later elected to the Louisiana State Board of Education in 1968, and in 1971 was elected statewide as superintendent of education. Michot is the father of former state senator Mike Michot. Michot also provided startup funds, office and studio space for La. Educational TV, which has since become the Louisiana Public Broadcasting Network. A licensed pilot, Michot served two years in Washington, D.C., as assistant to the vice president of the Air Transport Association of America, and later as president of the National Aerospace Education Association. He received many awards and honors, including membership in the Acadiana Business Hall of Fame. His business ventures ranged from movie theaters, real estate development and Burger Chef restaurants to oil well drilling, textile manufacturing in Mexico and cattle ranching in Central America. A complete obituary and service details are available here.