Michael was born in Baltimore, MD but was reared in south Louisiana. He was often identified as a “Cajun with a Strange Last Name”! He and his wife, Renee, have been together for 49 years successfully merging their diverse south Louisiana/Colorado cultures while living in three Louisiana cities (New Orleans, Berwick, and Morgan City), Houston, TX, and Pagosa Springs, CO. He will be greatly missed by all that had the privilege of knowing him.

Growing up in the south Louisiana Atchafalaya swap and coastal ecosystems, Michael became an accomplished outdoor survivalist. He had a lifelong passion for varied outdoor activities, especially fishing. Then, as with many youngsters in south Louisiana, he began working at an early age in the oil and gas industry, learning the ropes from the bottom up and setting the base for achieving a highly successful professional career.

Along the way, Michael graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans and Harvard Business Management School in Boston. His early professional years were spent with numerous ancillary service and oil field supply companies, then with Shell Oil Co. where he coordinated essential drilling supplies throughout the southern On-shore and Off-shore Region. He thereafter moved to Houston and became a Director of Union Texas (UTP) Petroleum responsible for five domestic and international divisions and for the development of UTP’s first independent offshore drilling program. He travelled overseas extensively, setting up many international operations. During these years, he was asked to serve on a US Presidential Advisory Committee to represent the Oil and Gas Industry along side such leaders as Lee Iacocca of Chrysler and Ruben Perrier of U.S. Steel. It was an exciting career.

Michael’s international career halted after the birth of his multi-disabled son. He decided to return to south Louisiana, a friendlier place for a challenged child. At that point, he redirected his talent to other professional and philanthropic endeavors. He established an oil field consulting company, Vanover & Asc., served as CEO of Brownell Land Co., served as Director of MC Book in Morgan City for 20 years, served as a board member of the Louisiana Land Owners Association, and a board member/4-year President of St. Mary Parish Industrial Group.

Michaels philanthropic interests and endeavors were varied. Rotarian for 38 years serving as President in Morgan City, LA and Pagosa Springs, CO as well as chairing a developmental program for 4 years at the Rotary District Level. He was a life-long Mason and was the driving force behind the creation of the Morgan City Shrine Club. He developed and spearheaded a unique and successful 20-year fundraising event to support the Shreveport Shriners Hospital. The Boy Scouts of America awarded him the BSA Silver Beaver Award, their highest civilian award, for his efforts to establish a canoe camp in the Atchafalaya swap to give boys from other places an introduction to swap ecosystem. He served as King of Hephaestus, the oldest Mardi Gras Krewe in Morgan City, in recognition of his community leadership.

He is survived by his wife, Renee Meek Vanover; two sons, Russell Vanover and Chad Vanover (Melissa); four grandchildren, Sydni Guillory (John), Seton Vanover, Cade Vanover (Jordan), and Nicholas Lear; and numerous cousins. Also survived by his step-sister, Ann Bailey and her three children and four grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his mother, Lorraine Bernucho Brownell; stepfather, Charles Russell Brownell; father, Tommy Vanover; and his beloved maternal grandparents Leonard and Florence Bernucho.

No services are planned at this time. If inclined, please consider a donation to one of the following: Shriners Foundation, 2900 N. Rocky Point, Tampa, Florida 33607, Pagosa Springs Rotary Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 685, Pagosa Springs, Colorado 81147, or a charity of your choosing.