Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Mike graduated from Baton Rouge High School in 1963. After attending LSU and pledging SAE, he proudly served his country in Vietnam with the Blackhorse 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He returned to Baton Rouge and opened The Square Peg bar in Corporate Square. He later served as the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner for four years under former Governor Edwin Edwards. He then served for fourteen years with former Attorney General Richard Ieyoub. Through his work, he traveled all over the state and made friends everywhere he went. He became friends with public officials in Louisiana and around the country. His friends knew that he was always only a phone call away if they needed him. Mike went on to work for the Secretary of State and the Used Motor Vehicle Commission before retiring from state government. After a year of enjoying retirement, he decided to form M&R Consulting Services, LLC, with his wife, Ruth, to assist others in navigating state government and helping in any way he could. He made many friends, and he loved what he did, and they in turn loved him. His and Ruth’s house was a place of joy, with friends dropping in at all hours to visit, celebrate special occasions, and seek advice. He will truly be missed by so many in his home state and beyond.
For several years, Mike and his old friend Winston Day had a portion of the WBRH Radio Show at Baton Rouge High School. They both loved to laugh, play old songs and tell stories of their days at school there.
Mike proudly served on the Louisiana Veterans Commission and the Baton Rouge ABC Board, where he was recently honored for his service.
Besides meeting for monthly luncheons with his high school friends, he loved meeting friends for coffee every Saturday morning. He will be so missed at these gatherings. So many friends have stopped by the house to wish him well and he loved seeing them all.
Mike and his wife loved to travel and attended many out of state meetings, visiting his granddaughters in college as well as going to the beach with family each summer. He will be greatly missed on these trips.
He is survived by his wife of thirty-four years, Ruth, daughter, Lisa Salom (Jamie), stepdaughter, Lisa Watson (Myron), and stepson, Don Lewis, Jr. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Caroline Guerra Wolf, Katherine Salom, Rachel Schultz, and Michael Salom. He is survived by one great-grandchild, Leo Russell Wolf.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Sidney Gaudin, father, G.L. Russell, sister, Linda Reese, and brother, Stanley T-Bo Russell.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 29th at Greenoaks Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Bobby Dale Calendar officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with the service from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. During the service, friends are welcome to stand and tell their personal stories of friendship and help from Mike through the years.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Beachball's memory may be made to Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Greenoaksfunerals.com for the Russell family.
