Michael James Breaux, 79, of Beaumont, died Saturday, October 19, 2013, at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont.   He was born on June 28, 1934, in Loreauville, Louisiana, to Grace Seneca Breaux and Antoine Breaux.  He graduated valedictorian from Loreauville High School in 1951.  After high school, he went to Southwestern Louisiana Institute (SLI now ULL) in Lafayette, Louisiana, for two years before deciding to serve his country enlisting into the Army during the Korean conflict.  He returned to Louisiana earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from SLI.  It was during this time he met the love of his life, Illa Mae Lancon.  They married in 1958.   He began his career at Magnolia Petroleum moving to Ulysses, Kansas, that same year.  After two years, he moved to Beaumont, where he held various management positions with Mobil Chemical until 1978, when he began his overseas assignments, which consisted of Naples, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.  He retired in 1994.

After his retirement, he enjoyed being in the country at his properties beginning with Sour Lake then Woodville, Texas.  Everyone was always welcome, and he was always interested in hearing about others.   You could often find him sitting in the gazebo in Woodville reading a book or near an open fire any time of the year.  He was always able to answer any question on any subject because he was so well-read and knowledgeable.  Other hobbies included playing the guitar with friends and family, barbecuing, gardening, bird feeding and bird watching.  He was a selfless man who was always there to help others in their time of need. 

Survivors include his wife, Illa Mae Breaux; daughters, Michele Moity of Houston and Sheila Metreyeon and her husband, David, of Beaumont; sons, Darren Breaux of Houston and Michael Breaux and his wife, Debbie, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa;  sisters, Nellie Breaux of Morgan City, Louisiana, and Dee Boudreaux Theriot of Gisner, Louisiana; brothers Rufus Breaux of Lafayette, Louisiana and Oswald Breaux of Abbeville, Louisiana; and grandchildren, Amanda Barton, Ryan Barton, Rebekah Moity and Michael Breaux, Jr.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Fred, Charles and Ronald Breaux.

A gathering of Mr. Breaux’s family and friends will be from 5 pm until 9 pm, with a Rosary recited at 7 pm., Wednesday, October 23, 2013, at Broussard’s, 1605 N Major Dr., Beaumont.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 am, Thursday, October 24, 2013, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Av., Beaumont, with entombment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 755 South 11th St., Suite 212, Beaumont, Texas  77701.

Mike would like to acknowledge, among others, Loretta Andress, Rose Breaux, Liz Lancon, Eleanor Breaux and Sue Overstreet, who he said could always be counted on to be there in a time of need.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the 3rd floor Trinity Tower of Baptist Hospital Beaumont and Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital in Houston for the exceptional care they gave to Mike during his sickness.  These special people loved and cared for him like he was their own father and made his lengthy hospital stays bearable and pleasant for him and for the family.