Michel Pierre Debaets, age 98, joined his wife Lucylle in heaven on September 25, 2022. He is predeceased by his parents Gerard and Marguerite Casterman Debaets, brother Gerard Jr. Debaets.
He was born in Courtrai, Belgium and came to the United States at age 12 years old. He graduate Magna Cum Laude from Davis-Elkins College, and The University of Illinois. He began his career in research and development in the oil and gas industry and retired as Vice President of Operations for Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation in Charleston, WV.
He devoted and worked 22 years of his retirement years to serve God by helping with Bluffton Self Help and Deep Well located in Bluffton and Hilton Head, SC. He also organized and brought about the restoration of The First Union African Baptist Church on Daufusky Island. He was a decorated WWII Air Force veteran.
Mike is survived by children, Debbra (Ed) Caughell, Dana (Lani) Debaets, Laurie (Greg) Moore, 7 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren.