Michael Troy Dalpiaz's Obituary
Michael Troy Dalpiaz passed away Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 8:30 in the morning, with his dad holding his hand. He was born on June 24,1968, and had a condition named Costello Syndrome that gave him mental and physical deficits. The doctors were not sure if he would survive, but he fought and he struggled and he lived. This would become a recurring theme in his life. He was able to beat the odds and exceed expectations.
Fiercely loved by a mother who demanded he give his best, and having a companion and protector in his brother who was a year older, he adapted to life after his biological father left when he was very young. He was lucky enough to be nurtured and loved by his maternal grandparents and was accepted and helped by a wonderful extended family of aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins. With their assistance he learned how to communicate with, and navigate in, the world. His mother remarried when he was eleven years old, and he and his brother were adopted a year later by their new dad.
Mikey grew up in Pocatello, Idaho. He attended public school special education classes and earned a modified high school diploma from Highland High School in 1989.
He participated in Special Olympics from an early age, beginning with track and field and bicycling in Idaho. He competed in cross country skiing in Casper, Wyoming. He played basketball and softball in Texas. He went bowling in Louisiana. You could hear him shout with joy all through the bowling alley if he rolled a strike.
Mikey worked most of his adult life in facilities designed for individuals with developmental disabilities in Amarillo, Texas, and Covington, Louisiana. He was so excited to get that small paycheck and contribute his share. He always wanted to take the family out to eat. Mike really, really liked to eat. He looked forward to riding the bus to work and being at work. He was eager to please, and got along well, most of the time, with his co-workers and the staff. Working gave him a sense of satisfaction and self-worth.
Mike relished his role in the family as an older brother to his younger brother and sister. When they were little, he would make them giggle with delight by making silly faces and playing peek-a-boo games. He took the role of being an uncle seriously too, and there were many games of ‘UNO’ with his nieces and nephews.
He liked pro wrestling especially during the ‘Hulk Hogan’ era. The family would gather with him and sit down to those ‘pay per view’ specials and cheer and jeer the heroes and villains of the pro wrestling world. He adopted the Saints after his dad was transferred to Louisiana and was an ardent fan. During the games he was vocal and emotional, and you could hear him through the house cheering ‘the boys’ or wishing ill will against their opponents.
I think there are many people Mike would thank for their kindness and help during his life, far too many to list here. There are medical professionals, teachers, organizations, churches, family friends, and relatives who all played a part in making his life longer than anyone expected and filled it with meaning and happiness.
Mike was a good and decent human being. He was a genial and affable man. He overcame many handicaps. He laughed with his entire being. He made us laugh. Sometimes he would make us cry. He had a childlike acceptance of all people no matter how they looked or what their station was in life. He brought a smile onto people’s faces. I would like to think that he made people better and made the world better. We would count ourselves lucky to leave the same legacy.
Mike is preceded in death by his mother, Lois, and by uncles Clayton Koger, Ed Adams,
Frank Kleist, Jay Haight, Laurence Koger, and aunts Berneda Haight, Betty Adams, and Thelma Koger. He is survived by his father, Jerry, his brothers Darren and Luke, his sister Nikki (Erickson), brother-in-law Graham Erickson, Uncle Jim Dalpiaz, and aunts Beryline Koger, Pamela Dalpiaz, and Teresa Kleist.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to STARC of Louisiana, 40201 Hwy 190 East, Slidell, LA 70461, 985-641-0197, https://starcla.org/giving/ or Special Olympics Louisiana, 1010 W 21st Avenue, Covington, LA, 985-345-6644, https://specialolympicsla.org/.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life Reception on Friday, May 16, 2025 at the Firehouse Event Center, 432 N. Theard, Covington, LA from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Please sign the guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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