Michael Faybon Boatner

1951 - 2025

A Mass of Christian Burial for Michael Faybon Boatner will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at St. Rita Catholic Church with Rev. Joshua Burch officiating. Interment will follow in Lee Memorial Cemetery, on Monday, June 16, 2025, in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of service on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at St. Rita Catholic Church.

Michael Faybon Boatner, 73, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2025, in Lafayette, Louisiana. He was born on November 24, 1951, in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Michael was preceded in death by his father, Faybon Sutherland Boatner; his mother, Katherine Fitzgerald Boatner; his grandfather, John Pascal "JP" Boatner; his first wife, Becky Ann Boatner; and his brother-in-law, Robert "Bobby" Kennedy.

Born and raised in Tupelo, Michael married his high school sweetheart, Ann Blaylock, in 1971, shortly after joining the U.S. Air Force. Their military journey took them to Guam, where Michael served as part of the Military Police. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1975, they moved to Newport News, Virginia, where their first son, John Michael, was born. Their adventures continued in Germany, where Michael was stationed in Bitburg as a Munitions Tech, and where their daughter, Natalie Dawn, was born. Michael's distinguished military career culminated as a Master Sergeant stationed at England Air Force Base in Alexandria, Louisiana, where he served as a Munitions Expert and Safety Inspector.

Later in life, Michael found love again and married Veronica Flaccomio in 2004, deepening his ties to the Central Louisiana community. Vicki's two sons, Chad and Bart Pugh, welcomed him as their stepfather, and he embraced his role as grandfather to their children.

A devoted family man, Michael cherished his role as "Papa Buster." He was the proud grandfather to John's three sons, Jacob, Elias, and Aiden, and Natalie's daughter, Katherine. He also embraced his step-grandchildren, Gage, Remi, Gabbi, Lain, and Reid, with open arms.

Beyond his family, Michael was a passionate enthusiast of golf, sport hunting, and his Harley Davidson. A true expert in his field, he was a GCA Accredited Golfsmith and a Level 5 AGCP Golf Clubfitting Professional. A loyal fan of Ole Miss, where his father played basketball, he enjoyed friendly banter with his family, many of whom were devoted LSU fans.

Michael is survived by his beloved wife, Vicki Boatner; his sisters, Beth Kennedy, Leigh Dillard, and Laura Haney & her husband, Jimmy; his son and daughter-in-law, John and Mindy Boatner; his daughter and son-in-law, Natalie and Chip Westerchil; his step-sons and daughter-in-laws, Chad and Kristi Pugh and Bart and Jennifer Pugh; his in-laws, Sadie Blakesley and Karen & Pete Mott; nephews Austin and Cody Haney; step-nieces Toni Wilmore, Shelly Blakesley, and Josh Blakesley; and of course, his cherished grandchildren, Jacob, Elias, Aiden, Katherine, Gage, Remi, Gabriella, Lain, and Reid.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either the National Military Family Association or The Food Bank of Central Louisiana.

To extend online notes of condolence to the Boatner Family, please visit www.KramerFunerals.com.