Michael Todd Huddleston

The life of Michael Todd Huddleston, age 47, was tragically cut short due to a motorcycle accident on Sunday, February 5, 2017. Todd was born August 9, 1969 in Jefferson, Louisiana. He was a graduate of L. W. Higgins High School in Marrero, Louisiana in 1987. He graduated in 1991 with distinction from Louisiana Scholar's College in Mathematics at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. He performed graduate level study in Mathematics at North Texas State University and also completed the Korean language program in 1995, at Sogang University Korean Language Education Center. Todd trained in the martial arts for over 37 years and taught martial arts for the past 34 years. At his school, Yonsei Martial Arts Academy in Kenner, Louisiana, he has touched the lives of many students and their families as well as the lives of his family and friends. His generous heart and his ability to connect with people of all ages endeared him to all. He embodied, lived and taught the principles of Tang Soo Do and helped influence hundreds of black belts. So many people have been positively impacted just by knowing him. He never met a stranger, was genuinely interested in learning more about the people and the world around him and always offering to help a friend. With boundless energy, Todd often ran or biked in charity events. In an effort to pay it forward, Todd not only offered a scholarship through Yonsei Martial Arts Academy but also recently established a scholarship at his alma mater, Northwestern State University. Todd's pursuit of excellence and thirst for knowledge brought him many awards and titles in martial arts during his life. Of the many awards he has received over the years in martial arts, from MVP award, Ambassador's Cup and numerous trophies and medals to recognition from the Kuk Ki Won, he treasured the "Martial Arts Spirit Award for Perseverance" in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina and the Exemplary Mentor Award in 2011 given to him through the Educational Funding Company. The most important awards to him were his very first black belt, the Tang Soo Do Achievement Award given to him November 28, 2008 by Master Han in Bintulu, Malaysia, and his Grand Master 8th Degree black belt earned this past June 26, 2016. Todd was also active in his fraternity and kept up with many of his KA brothers who will miss him greatly. He also continued to touch the lives of many good friends. Many Avondale friends from grammar school, through high school buddies, to many college cohorts have been greatly saddened to hear of his death and have shared so many wonderful stories about Todd with everyone. He is preceded in death by his father Danny Ross Huddleston, uncle E. W. (Bill) Huddleston, grandmother Jewel Huddleston and Ruth Jones (Aunt Pete). He is survived and will be greatly missed by his sister Soraya Maria (Angel) Huddleston, brother Shawn Ross Huddleston, Rev. Barbara (Aunt Penny) Beaumont, Uncle Le Roy Beaumont, cousins Lisa M. Ray, Chanda N. Presley and Diane Huddleston Phillips, close family friend Clare Sanders, brother Eric Shoemaker and his wife Amanda Shoemaker, niece Olive Shoemaker and nephew Milo Shoemaker, sister Jenny Shoemaker, nephew Sidney Lizana and his wife Victoria Lizana, great nephew and nieces Hunter, Parker and Piper Lizana. His legacy to help others continues. Upon his death, he chose to be an organ donor. His choice resulted in saving 5 other lives and providing for countless others through tissue and cornea donations. The life of Michael Todd Huddleston will be celebrated at a memorial service on Saturday February 18, 2017 at 11 a.m.at the Yonsei Martial Arts Academy at 2530 Florida Avenue in Kenner, Louisiana. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the NSU Foundation and put Todd Huddleston in the memo. Mail to NSU Foundation, 535 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA. 71497. Payable to the NSU Foundation. It will put it in his scholarship fund that he set up prior to his death.