Michael "Mike" Augustus Davis

Michael “Mike” Augustus Davis, 74, earned his wings on May 18, 2026 following a lengthy illness. He fought hard for a long time, but his body finally gave out. He was at home with his wife by his side exactly the way he had always wanted it to be.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in Couch Chapel at First Methodist Church, Shreveport, to be officiated by Dr. Stephen Bell. A ceremony will follow at the Columbarium in the garden next to chapel that will be his final resting place. Visitation will be in the church parlor, below the chapel, at 10:00 a.m.

Mike was born on June 24, 1951, in Raceland, LA to Evelyn Lambert Davis and James Augustus Davis. He spent his early childhood in Grand Isle, LA. Then their family moved to Thibodaux, LA where he often spoke fondly of the years they lived there. They moved to Covington, LA when he was 12 where he lived until he left for college.

He graduated from Covington High School and went “up north” to Northwestern State University where he met the love of his life, Debbie Mitchell. The two were introduced by his friend’s girlfriend who happened to be Debbie’s roommate. They all rode down to Covington for some Mardi Gras fun in NOLA and that began a three-year relationship leading to marriage on June 2, 1973. They had two daughters, Robin and Suzanne, who he adored and for whom he would do anything.

He was a fixture at almost every Christmas program at Southfield School for 47 years. He ran the sound and coordinated the lighting for his wife who affectionately called him her “wing man.” His skills and investment in sound equipment made her programs so much more professional.

He also had a passion for photography and started a sideline business for many years doing portraits, weddings and copy/restoration work. He was honored to be invited to photograph a campaign visit by Ronald Reagan for the local Republican Party.

Mike loved to play the guitar (classical and electric) and ride motorcycles, both of which he owned many. He learned to fly and had his private pilot’s license, and also enjoyed building and flying model airplanes. Mike was an awesome cook; his shrimp stew, gumbo (seafood, chicken, etc.), crawfish etouffee, smoked turkey, ribs or ham and anything else he cooked were truly outstanding using his S. Louisiana cooking skills.

Some of his happiest memories were being a part of the Krewe of Centaur. He and Debbie joined in 2001. He loved the parades, the parties, the friends made and especially working on the float where his artistic talents flowed during those fifteen years. He was very talented with an air brush and created masks for an avatar theme and added all the detailing on the sun for the “Sun Float” that is still used in parades. The face of the sun, the eyes and each ray had his special touch. The highlight of his life was being the Duke of Food in 2003. He loved every minute of all that went along with being royalty.

His business career was mostly in finance that started in lending where he managed several branches of various small loan companies. He moved from there to mortgage lending and then car finance (F & I) for many years at several local dealerships including Hanna, Rountree, Bob Post and Winningham. He and a friend then decided to form what would become a successful business, D*Ter Systems, offering an anti-theft product to car dealerships with necessary materials to etch VIN numbers on the glass in new cars.

Mike was a member of First Methodist Church, and many remember him from his years of driving golf carts on Sunday mornings. He loved meeting and talking with all of his passengers.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Debbie; his two daughters, Robin Castaillac (Niko) of Saint Martin de Crau, FR and Suzanne Beckman (Bill) of Edmond, OK; and grandchildren William, Evie and Xander Beckman and Olivier and Juliette Castaillac.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Methodist Church, P. O. Box 1567, Shreveport, LA; Southfield School, 1100 Southfield Road, Shreveport, LA or the charity of your choice.