If you never met Big Mike, you missed out on making a new friend.

For a large portion of the Southeast Louisiana Skate community, Michael "Big Mike" Jeansone was an icon... Mike was, as his family is, completely saturated by a love of skateboarding, and pushing the idea that skateboarders are part of a community. He didn't just talk about it, he got out there and did it.

Here in Hammond, Louisiana, Mike and his crew (family, friends, etc) would drive from nearby Denham Springs Louisiana and set up a campsite that came correct with grilled meat, cold drink, loud music, and an open invitation. Mike brought that vibe with him everywhere he went... when he and his family went on road trips, they created a swath of friends in their path.

All of us from New Orleans to Hammond to Baton Rouge and all places in and around those areas mourn his loss, but we skate even harder to honor him.

Big Mike passed away in a freak accident at a skate park in Nashville while touring the skate scenes from Hammond to Tennessee. Mike is survived by a wife and two sons, one a child.

Mike was the kind of person most people need to know. A good person, a lifer, and someone who stayed active in the skate community to help make it thrive. From carving to park meetings, he was down for skating on every level.

We know a skateboarder. Skateboarders are a different kind of people. They experience a feeling of expression that only skateboarders understand.
The need to show their ability is driven by the respect and praise of those who ride, and have ridden with them. They’re all alike in a special way, and it shows in the way they live their lives. The skateboarder we know has an ability to show this… how to love one another, and that is the finest ride ever expressed by a true skateboarder. We all look forward to the day we get to ride with one of the best skaters; to bless us with his ability.

We love you Big Mikey, we’re coming to skate with you again!

-Tony
Big Mike's brother