John Michael (Mike) Basham, age 71, passed away on April 18, 2025, at home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Taylor Baptist Church, Taylor, Louisiana. The family request that the visitation be observed from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. before the service.
Interment will be held at Woodard Cemetery in Taylor, Louisiana.
Rev. Kenny Rowe and Mike’s nephew, Brad Waller, will officiate the service.
Mike was hard-working and began his career as a teen at Woodard Walker Lumber Company (later Willamette Industries). He remained in the lumber industry, starting his own business in 1983, B&S Hardwood, Inc where he worked until he retired.
Mike loved the outdoors. Fishing was his favorite hobby. He loved fishing, boating, and spending time on the lake with his family and friends. His favorite job of all was being PopPay to Taylor, Kendal, Jeri, and Eli. His grandchildren were his world. He could always be found supporting them at every school program, sports event, or family gathering. His children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews knew that they could always count on him.
Mike is preceded in death by his father, John Basham, his sister Diann Gosdin, mother-in-law, Dot Dowling Lawrence, father-in-law, Tommy Lawrence, and brothers-in-law, Carl Pickering and Shawn Nowlin.
His survivors include his wife of 48 years, Donna Lawrence Basham; sons, Jason Basham and Kevin Basham and wife Brittani; mother, Marie Basham; grandchildren, Taylor, Kendal, Jeri, and Eli Basham; sisters in law, Debbie Waller and Dorothy Nowlin; nieces and nephews, Bruce and Jennifer Neaville, Chris and Phoebe Purvis; Brad and Michelle Waller, Noah Nowlin, Lucas Nowlin, Ryan and Dawn Gosdin, and Pat Gosdin as well as numerous great nieces and nephews.
He leaves behind a legacy of compassion, service, and strength that will carry on in our hearts forever.
Special thank you to friends Annie Mae Harris and Beverly Cooper for their love and care.
Pallbearers will be Brad Waller, Noah Nowlin, Lucas Nowlin, Ryan Gosdin, Pat Gosdin, Logan Gosdin, Bubba Holmes, and Bobby Reno.
Honorary pallbearers, Chris Purvis, James Crow, and Bobby Taylor.