Michael David DuPlantis left this earth on January 16, 2019 to be in the presence of his Lord Jesus Christ. Mike is the son of William Ennis (Bill) and Frances Lee Lenamon DuPlantis of Baytown. He was the middle child of three brothers, born in a 4-year span, who were extremely close to each other, not just in age, but also in spirit. Mike’s older brother, William Bradley DuPlantis, lives in Baytown. Younger brother, Stephen Douglas DuPlantis resides in Houston with his wife, Dana, and son, Logan.
Michael attended Ross Sterling High School in Baytown where he lettered in both tennis and track. After high school, following in the footsteps of his dad, Mike attended Texas A&M University with his brothers and was a member of the Corps of Cadets. Mike joined the United States Marine Corps after leaving A&M, serving his country honorably as an NCO for 4 years plus a subsequent recall stint during the Gulf War.
Michael had a varied work career, but found his niche as an entrepreneur in the restaurant business when he partnered with his brother Steve to open several Wing Stop restaurants in the Houston area. Mike still owned two of those Wing Stops, but in recent years he expanded his business by opening a series of ‘The Catch’ seafood restaurants in Houston. At his death Mike was operating four Catch restaurants.
Mike was an avid fisherman, and traveled the world to great fishing spots, mostly as reward vacations from the restaurant franchise for his outstanding business performance. Indicative of Mike’s adventurous spirit, at the top of his bucket list was a float trip down the Amazon River.
Above all, Mike loved and was deeply devoted to his daughters, Alina and Nicole. Alina recently graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in petroleum engineering, and Nicole is attending high school in the Woodlands. It was Mike’s great joy to encourage, support, and mentor his daughters and to accompany them on many special vacations.
Michael will be remembered for his unflagging optimism, his buoyant personality, his happy smile, and his unfailing love for family. Paraphrasing comments of his cousin Tony Lenamon – ‘For 58 years Mike had a smile on his face and a kind word to anyone he met. He was that way when he was 10, he was that way in college, he was that way at his work, and he was that way at our recent family Christmas reunion.’
Mike was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents William and Blanche DuPlantis of Baytown and Bart and Kate Lenamon of Groesbeck. He is survived by his children, parents, and brothers, special friend Kacy Robertson, loving sister-in-law Dana DuPlantis, nephew Logan DuPlantis, plus aunts, uncles, cousins, and good friends known for their love and encouragement.
Family visitation will be on Monday, January 21, 10am – noon at the Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, in Baytown. A graveside service will follow visitation at the Cedarcrest Cemetery on Ferry Road.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alliance Bible Church, 302 West Cedar Bayou-Lynchburg Road, Baytown, TX 77521. Michael grew up in this church and at his death attended the Fellowship of the Woodlands.
