Michael “Mike” Conrad Smith, 66, died on October 1, 2022 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, following cardiovascular disease. He lived in Baton Rouge for over 30 years and was a native of North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene “Smitty” Smith and Dorothy “Doris” Force Smith, his brother, Eugene Scott Smith, and his much beloved aunt, Margaret “Margie” Catherine Force.
Mike studied architecture and law in North Carolina, receiving degrees in both. He loved his time living in North Carolina with family. He often fondly remembered the barbecue there (which he insisted was the best and only true barbecue in the country). After practicing law several years in North Carolina, he moved to Baton Rouge to care for his aunt, Margie Force, which he did for more than 15 years.
In Louisiana, Mike continued to work as a brilliant and dedicated attorney. Many times, he worked late into the night until he found in our Napoleonic Code just the right solution to a thorny legal problem. Most of these efforts were in the service of the courts, advising judges as a law clerk. In that capacity, he often found himself advocating for a government of laws, not men. He was a true believer in the Rule of Law, as he saw it as true Equal Protection and the surest path to justice for all. He was able to achieve that result at times, although not as often as Mike would have liked. Consequently, he would frequently lament that his good counsel and advice had not been taken while ‘holding court’ on his front porch on Sunday afternoons at his home on Louisiana Avenue.
Besides expounding on the law and human affairs while sitting on that porch, he would greet every passing neighbor with a broad smile and wave. It was in his nature to greet and to treat all with kindness and generosity. These were his daily practice. Mike lived a saintly life and was an example for us all. His quiet and understated demeanor belied both his brilliance and his joy.
Mike was generous with his time, money, and knowledge, particularly his legal expertise and his sense of good design in architecture.
He was quietly generous to those in need. Many foreign missions have received his support. Almost daily he ensured that his neighbor Tommy had something good to eat, and a newspaper to read. Tommy and Mike became very close friends over the years. They looked after each other. Recently when Mike was not able personally to celebrate Tommy’s birthday with him, he made arrangements to make sure that the party still went on. And yes, it had to include Mike’s favorite Chantilly cake.
He freely gave people his most valuable asset, his time. One particularly troubled free spirit often called Mike, very often—sometimes multiple times a day. Mike always gave her some of his time and a gentle ear. He also would occasionally, remotely help her rent a car or book a night in a hotel if he sensed circumstances warranted.
Similarly, if a young person wanted someone to go fishing with, Mike would go do that. If they needed someone to work on 3rd grade math, he would do that. Or play pool. Or go for a swim in a creek. He was generous with his time.
Mike had a particularly dear friend, Isabel Loret. She took very good care of Mike in many ways. They liked to go to plays together, go out for a meal, and talk about people and their customs. He was a student of human nature and was always ready to have a long discussion about it. One of their favorite haunts was the Piccadilly in Delmont Village. Eating there with Isabel and Stephen Slaydon made Mike very happy, and the conversation was consistently very enlightening for the others. The scene was distinctly old-fashioned in its way, leisurely. So, was Mike, in the best way. Another favorite getaway was to go with Isabel to the yearly bar association convention in Destin. Mike loved the beach. His smile would be as big as the sun when he was there. In return for her many kindnesses, Mike sometimes graced Isabel by calling her at home after midnight with a knotty legal issue to resolve or simply to contemplate. They were legal partners in an unspoken, unofficial way.
Like Isabel, there are the Brothers Romanach, Carlos and Javier—also fast friends of Mike. And they can assure you he was a most faithful of friends. Carlos has lovingly stated that Mike was stubbornly Catholic in matters of faith. Javier would put it a little differently: “Mike was a man of deep faith who lived his life in accordance with the Gospel.” Javier was struck by how Mike held malice toward no one and was absolutely loyal to his friends. He has written of Mike: “He was our Atticus Finch, a lawyer blessed with modesty, integrity, compassion, and a magnificent legal acumen who had a zeal to do the right thing.”
Another good friend, who Mike met through Carlos, was Scott Collier. They would all meet up at Highland Coffees and discuss “theology and life and what are we here for,” as Scott has put it. Now, thinking back on how his friend lived life, Scott has said: “Mike exemplified that saying ‘Preach the Gospel always, use words if you must’.”
Mike was an architect, a lawyer, a wonderful friend and neighbor to all. He was also a lifelong student of history, archeology, and the physical sciences. He loved to go to an art show or walk around University Lakes or attend a movie. If you went with him for coffee, be prepared to hear traditional Catholic orthodoxy applied to the issues of our modern world (in a convincing manner it might be added). He had a mischievous sense of humor.
If there is any doubt that Baton Rouge was home for Mike, consider this: his father named him after Mike the Tiger. He watched all the games and cheered for the LSU football team. He celebrated the victories and was philosophical about the losses. He felt very at home in Baton Rouge, and in his neighborhood on Louisiana Avenue.
Mike is survived by his caring cousins Charlotte “Charlye” Calvit, Martha “Marti” Daniels, and Ginny Calvit. He thought of and loved them as the sisters he never had. They treated him as a brother. He had many other cousins, and he was proud of their many and varied achievements. Mike has a godchild, Tori Collier, the daughter of Mike’s loving friends, Scott and Lisa Collier.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mike’s spiritual homes St. Agnes Catholic Church, or Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, or to a charity which you believe Mike would want to see supported. He had a special place in his heart for those without housing, and those persecuted due to their faith.
Services will be held on Monday, November 21, at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, located at 445 Marquette Avenue, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Visitation (and a light lunch) at 1:00 p.m., to be followed by Mass at 2:00 p.m.
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