Michael B. Viator

Michael B. Viator was born August 4, 1950 in Biloxi, MS. A 1968 graduate of Biloxi High School, Michael was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Michael served in the US Army as a Specialist 4 and was stationed in Saigon, Vietnam from May 1970 until November 1971. Michael returned to Biloxi in November 1971 and while working as a Produce Manager at National Food Stores, Michael sustained a spinal cord injury in a motorcycle accident on March 19, 1973. Despite his disability, Michael enjoyed an independent life. He completed his Associates Degree in 1978 at Phillips Community College, which established the annual Mike Viator Award for Courage. Michael was an active member of the Bayou Gulf States chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America and was the recipient of the PVA's Everet Neat Award in 1993. He enjoyed fishing, travel and coin collecting. He is preceded in death by his longtime caregiver and loving mother, Lola Cummings Viator and father, Harry Viator; sister, Mary Ann Cooper; brother, Harry J. Viator, Jr. He is survived by two daughters, Ann Tabb Culpepper of Gulfport and Angela Tabb Ladner of Saucier; two aunts, Lucille Viator of TN and Gerry Frentz of Ocean Springs; three brothers, Roy Viator of Hattiesburg, Ricky Viator of Pass Christian and David Howell of AR; three sisters, Dean Drew of TN, Nancy Berdanier of FL and Barbara Hanson of MS; two grandchildren, Lucas Ladner and Hugh Culpepper. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 2:00 pm at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home. Friends may visit one hour prior to service. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com