Michael Jerard Vallette

The Honorable Michael Jerard Vallette, Attorney at Law, age 60 of Ocean Springs, MS passed away on Friday, February 6, 2015 due to a short term illness. Mike was born August 1, 1954 in New Orleans, LA. His parents moved the family to Lacombe, LA where he graduated from St Paul’s Catholic High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from LSU “Louisiana State University” May 1976 and finishing his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Mississippi College School of Law August of 1980. Mike moved to the coast in the mid 80’s where he joined office with lifelong friend Arthur Carlisle. He was a distinguished member of the Mississippi Bar Association, The Louisiana Bar Association and a longtime member of the Old Biloxi Marching Club and various Mardi Gras Associations over the years. Mike and his family became members of the Mosaic Church in Ocean Springs several years ago where he found a church that he felt was like home. Mike met and married his soul mate Susan Rene in Ocean Springs. He was an unassuming man dedicated to his family and career. He was admired in great depth and loved by many of his friends and colleagues. He was an avid fisherman and loved his outings with his close friends to the Chandeleur Islands. He loved planning his family vacations with his grandchildren and family. He took great pride in organizing cook outs, get togethers and entertaining for all of his family and friends to enjoy. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leo J. Vallette M.D. and Hilda Reynaud Vallette M.D. of Lacombe, LA; his son, Officer Charles Stephen “Bubba” Bond of Ocean Springs, MS; and his brother-in-law, Benjamin Slater of Slidell, LA. In addition to his wife he is survived by his children, William J. “Will” Vallette and his fiancé Christie Lemoine of Baton Rouge, LA, Amy Elizabeth Hunter of Baton Rouge, LA and Tyler Gray Sawyer of Ocean Springs, MS; and a wonderful father-in-law and friend to Angela Lott Bond of Saraland, AL. He took great pride and loved being a Pawpaw to Ethan, Rhilee “his little Princess” and Tristen Bond of Saraland AL. He was a loving brother to Carol V. Slater, Stephen E. Vallette (Donna), Donald J. Vallette (Donna) and Jeanne M. Vallette all of Louisiana. He was a wonderful son-in-law to John Clayton Weldy Sr. of Mobile, AL and also to Manon and Jack Boggs of Slidell, LA; a brother-in-law to John Clayton Weldy, Jr. of Slidell, LA, Jon and Kay Paucke of Helana , AL and Paul and Amy Bailey of Mobile, AL. Mike was a wonderful uncle as well, to each of his nieces, nephews and great-nephews, David Bailey, Brandy and Casey Richbourg, all of Mobile, AL, Ashley Richbourg and great-nephew, Jordan Richbourg both of Raceland, LA , Abbey and Brennan Paucke of Helena, AL, Taylor, Jacob and Joshua Vallette, Stephen Vallette, Jr., Allison Vallette Stanga (Christopher) and their child Eli and Connor Vallette all of Lousiana. Other extended family members include numerous aunts, uncles and other relatives. As well as extended “family” those special and dear to him include friends James “JByrd” and Amy Byrd of Vancleave, Brenda Pelton of Ocean Springs, Mac Weaver of Biloxi and Wendi Tuner of Pensacola, FL. Michael felt very grateful and blessed to have had such a healthy family of children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Therefore in lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital in his honor, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. A Memorial Service will be held at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Friday, February 13, 2015 at 2:00 pm. Friends may visit from 12:00 pm until service time.