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→Background
Michot dropped out of college to join the [[United States Marine Corps]] during [[World War II]]. During his four-year service, he was an anti-aircraft battery gunner officer aboard the aircraft carrier ''USS Enterprise.'' He flew ten combat missions in the Pacific Theater of Operations.<ref name=obit/> In 2008, Michot appeared in The History Channel series, ''Battle 360,'' in which he recounts many of his experiences as part of the Marine detachment on the ''Enterprise.''
Michot dropped out of college to join the [[United States Marine Corps]] during [[World War II]]. During his four-year service, he was an anti-aircraft battery gunner officer aboard the aircraft carrier ''USS Enterprise.'' He flew ten combat missions in the Pacific Theater of Operations.<ref name=obit/> In 2008, Michot appeared in The History Channel series, ''Battle 360,'' in which he recounts many of his experiences as part of the Marine detachment on the ''Enterprise.''
On September 7, 1946, Michot married the former Patricia Ann Smith (March 2, 1926 – April 11, 2011), a native of Patterson in St. Mary Parish, and the daughter of William Bathe Smith, Sr., and the former Rita Maria Marin. She was reared along the banks of the lower Atchafalaya River, where her father managed Idlewild Farms, a dairy cattle and [[sugar cane]] operation for General Kemper Williams. She graduated in 1942 as valedictorian of her class at Patterson High School. She had a longtime interest in tennis and painting. Mrs. Michot graduated with a degree in [[home economics]] from ULL, where she was a member of [[Sigma Sigma Sigma]] sorority. Mrs. Michot worked as a teacher in St. Landry Parish, as a home service agent for Louisiana Power and Light Company in Donaldsonville, and in various positions for her husband's businesses. She was the secretary of Louis J. Michot and Associates and of Michot Family L.L.C.<ref name=patmichot>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obituary.aspx?n=patricia-ann-smith-michot&pid=150239712|title=Patricia Ann Smith Michot|publisher=''Baton Rouge Morning Advocate''|accessdate=April 14, 2011}}</ref>
On September 7, 1946, Michot married the former Patricia Ann Smith (March 2, 1926 – April 11, 2011), a native of Patterson in St. Mary Parish, and the daughter of William Bathe Smith, Sr., and the former Rita Maria Marin. She was reared along the banks of the lower Atchafalaya River, where her father managed Idlewild Farms, a dairy cattle and [[sugar]] cane operation for General Kemper Williams. She graduated in 1942 as valedictorian of her class at Patterson High School. She had a longtime interest in tennis and painting. Mrs. Michot graduated with a degree in [[home economics]] from ULL, where she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. Mrs. Michot worked as a teacher in St. Landry Parish, as a home service agent for Louisiana Power and Light Company in Donaldsonville, and in various positions for her husband's businesses. She was the secretary of Louis J. Michot and Associates and of Michot Family L.L.C.<ref name=patmichot>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obituary.aspx?n=patricia-ann-smith-michot&pid=150239712|title=Patricia Ann Smith Michot|publisher=''Baton Rouge Morning Advocate''|accessdate=April 14, 2011}}</ref>
==Super businessman==
==Super businessman==
When he was twenty-four, Michot opened the drive-in theater, his first business venture, followed by an appliance and sporting goods store and a building cleaning business. He then became manager of the Lafayette [[Chamber of Commerce]]. In 1958, he purchased the Louisiana, [[Mississippi]], and east [[Texas]] franchise for Burger-Chef Systems, a national fast food chain. In 1958, he opened his first restaurant in New Iberia and built forty-five outlets through 1978, when he sold the company.<ref>"Harper PTA Slates Michot," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' April 23, 1975, p. 1.</ref>
When he was twenty-four, Michot opened the drive-in theater, his first business venture, followed by an appliance and sporting goods store and a building cleaning business. He then became manager of the Lafayette [[Chamber of Commerce]]. In 1958, he purchased the Louisiana, [[Mississippi]], and east [[Texas]] franchise for Burger-Chef Systems, a national fast food chain. In 1958, he opened his first restaurant in New Iberia and built forty-five outlets through 1978, when he sold the company.<ref>"Harper PTA Slates Michot," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' April 23, 1975, p. 1.</ref>
Michot accepted positions with the Navy League of the United States as national secretary and with the Air Transport Association of America as vice president, which took him, his wife, and then six children to [[Washington, D.C.]]. They resided for two years in Annandale, [[Virginia]]. Michot was a licensed pilot and a president of the National Aerospace Education Association.<ref name=obit/> However, Michot noted that "we wanted to raise our children in Lafayette," and hence returned to Louisiana.
Michot accepted positions with the Navy League of the United States as national secretary and with the Air Transport Association of America as vice president, which took him, his wife, and then six children to [[Washington, D.C.]] They resided for two years in Annandale, [[Virginia]]. Michot was a licensed pilot and a president of the National Aerospace Education Association.<ref name=obit/> However, Michot noted that "we wanted to raise our children in Lafayette," and hence returned to Louisiana.
Michot then launched other business ventures after Burger Chef, including real estate development, insurance, cleaning, commercial air and water transportation, oil well drilling, oil tool manufacturing and sales, offshore and marine fabrication, textile manufacturing in [[Mexico]], communications and foreign trade, and cattle ranching in [[Central America]].<ref name=obit/>
Michot then launched other business ventures after Burger Chef, including real estate development, insurance, cleaning, commercial air and water transportation, oil well drilling, oil tool manufacturing and sales, offshore and marine fabrication, textile manufacturing in [[Mexico]], communications and foreign trade, and cattle ranching in [[Central America]].<ref name=obit/>
In his later years, Michot was the general manager of his Michot Family, L.L.C., a family-owned [[holding company]] which deals principally in real estate sales, development, and rentals. He was one of the organizers of the Bank of Lafayette, having served on its board of directors from 1975 to 1980. He also served on the board of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette and Conrad Industries in Morgan City, Louisiana. He served on the board of the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum located in Abbeville in Vermilion Parish]]. He was instrumental in the founding of the Louisiana [[Public Broadcasting Service]].<ref name=obit/>
In his later years, Michot was the general manager of his Michot Family, L.L.C., a family-owned [[holding company]] which deals principally in real estate sales, development, and rentals. He was one of the organizers of the Bank of Lafayette, having served on its board of directors from 1975 to 1980. He also served on the board of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette and Conrad Industries in Morgan City, Louisiana. He served on the board of the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum located in Abbeville in Vermilion Parish]]. He was instrumental in the founding of the Louisiana [[Public Broadcasting Service]].<ref name=obit/>
==The musical Michots==
==The musical Michots==
Several of Michot's sons formed the "Les Freres Michot" (Michot brothers) band in the middle 1980s. The brothers perform [[Cajun]] music. Two of Louis Michot's grandsons, Louis (born 1979) and Andre (born 1975), have formed the Lost Bayou Ramblers, an equally talented group of young musicians, who perform Cajun-style and revert to western swing music of the 1930s and 1940s as well.
Several of Michot's sons formed the "Les Freres Michot" (Michot brothers) band in the middle 1980s. The brothers perform [[Cajun]] music. Two of Louis Michot's grandsons, Louis (born 1979) and Andre (born 1975), have formed the Lost Bayou Ramblers, an equally talented group of young musicians, who perform Cajun-style and revert to western swing music of the 1930s and 1940s as well.
==''La Roue Qui Pend'' (The Hanging Wheel)==
===''La Roue Qui Pend'' (The Hanging Wheel)===
''La Roue Qui Pend'' is the French name of the Michot family camp, a secondary residence located in a natural landscape. The camp is used for outdoor recreation, social functions, and as a refuge from urban life or the workplace. It is located in southern Lafayette Parish, near the Vermilion Parish line on the banks of Bayou Vermilion.
''La Roue Qui Pend'' is the French name of the Michot family camp, a secondary residence located in a natural landscape. The camp is used for outdoor recreation, social functions, and as a refuge from urban life or the workplace. It is located in southern Lafayette Parish, near the Vermilion Parish line on the banks of Bayou Vermilion.