John Michael “Mike” Duhon passed away peacefully at home Tuesday afternoon, April 23, 2024 surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Lake Charles, La. on Jan. 21, 1944. Mike loved and enjoyed life to the fullest. He was raised in Sulphur, La. He lived until his death in his home in “Choupique,” his paradise. His home was surrounded by beautiful ranch land where cattle were raised most of his adult life. He shared a love for cattle with his wife, Evelyn Gay, and his brother, Jay. He played football and basketball at Sulphur High School from 1959 to 1962 where he was All-State in football and basketball. One of Mike’s biggest accomplishments and loves was LSU football where he played from 1962 to 1966. Mike played in the 1964 Peach Bowl, the 1966 Cotton Bowl where he was defensive MVP. Upon graduating from LSU, he continued to be a student assistant coach under Coach Charles McClendon whom he also played under. After graduating from LSU, he went to work for Calcasieu Marine National Bank where he retired. Mike was one of the charter members of the Charlie Mac Foundation, a foundation set up to provide scholarships to the children of former LSU football players. 

Mike is survived by his three daughters, Mary Margaret “Marcie” Harper (James Carlos “J.C”), Katherine Elizabeth “Katie” Smith (Roderick Paul “Rod”), Evelyn Michelle Truax, (Harold Christopher I “Chris”); siblings, Marlene Bourgeois and Joseph Lester Duhon “Jay” (Tookie); his grandchildren, Bayne Lawton Smith (Brittany), Evelyn Alexandra Truax “Lexie”, Jake Austin Smith (Kelsie), Michael Thomas Harper, Emma Frances Harper and Tatum Elizabeth Truax, and great-grandchildren, Scarlett Jean Smith, Stella Lawton Smith, Conrad Paul Smith, and Bennett Thomas Smith.

Mike was preceded in death by his lovely wife of 55 years, Evelyn Gay Lawton Duhon; grandson, Harold Christopher Truax II; granddaughter, Margaret Elizabeth “Maggie” Truax; brother-in-law, Wayne Bourgeois, along with his parents, Joseph Lester and Anna Mae Palombo Duhon.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Sulphur, La. on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 10 a.m., with the Very Rev. Edward J. Richard, M.S., V.F. officiating. Visitation will be at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, April 26, 2024 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., with a Rosary at 6 p.m. Burial will follow at Mimosa Pines South Cemetery in Carlyss, La. 

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonsulphurme morial.com.