Michel "Mike" George Candebat, Jr. 's Obituary
Michel "Mike" G. Candebat, Jr., devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away on 6 April, 2020 at the age of 89 in Memphis, TN. He was born 1 September, 1930 in New Orleans, LA and the only child of Michel G. Candebat, Sr. and Velma Kora Candebat. He is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years Inez Landry Candebat, his children Cindy Candebat Birdsey (spouse Don Birdsey), Brent D. Candebat (spouse Brenda Kindy Candebat), Gregory P. Candebat, Jeffrey J. Candebat and Michel G. Candebat, III (spouse Debbie Candebat) as well as 10 beloved grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Mike was a devout Catholic graduating from Holy Cross HS in New Orleans and attended Louisiana State University. He enlisted in the USMC and served two years during the Korean conflict. Mike and Inez married on 5 December, 1953 at St. Maurice Cathedral in New Orleans. After working in the cotton business for almost 20 years Mike made a decision to change careers and successfully managed a State Farm Insurance agency for 31 years before retiring in 1999. Prior to retirement Mike was instrumental in the founding of St. Joseph Catholic and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic churches in Memphis. During retirement Mike’s deep spiritual faith was exemplified not only through regular attendance at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Cordova, TN but he also served as president of The Serra Club of Memphis a Catholic organization that supports the recruitment and training of seminarians entering priesthood for the Diocese of Memphis as well as the vice president of Serra Vocational International. Mike was also on the advisory board for the Southern Dominican’s of New Orleans and was vested as Knight Commander with Star in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. Mike enjoyed travel both in the USA as well as many countries in Europe having visited the wine regions of California, France, Spain and Italy. He also enjoyed weekly rounds of golf followed by a cigar and a few rounds of beer with his sons. LSU and New Orleans Saints football was another passion and many a Saturday night and Sunday afternoons revolved around the radio or TV following his beloved teams. Mike can best be remembered for his sacrifice and love for his large family as well as his deep religious faith and devotion to the Catholic Church. A private service with immediate family will be held at Little Flower Catholic Church. A memorial celebration of Mike’s life will be announced at a later date. Memorials in Mike’s honor may be made to SERRA CLUB OF MEMPHIS, The CATHOLIC CENTER, 5825 SHELBY OAKS DRIVE, MEMPHIS, TN 38134-7316 or Diocese of Memphis Priest Retirement Home at the same address.
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