Michael Scott Tuma

Michael Scott Tuma of Mt. Pleasant, father, brother, uncle, and friend to so many passed away peacefully December 6, 2021.  Michael was the first baby born in the newly opened Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak Michigan on February 5, 1955.  Michael grew up in Mt. Pleasant, and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School with an emphasis in the culinary arts program, in which Mt. Pleasant High School excelled.  He then attended the prestigious culinary training program at The Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia.  Michael was one of a very few applicants to be accepted in what was considered to be the supreme culinary apprenticeship program in the nation.  Upon graduation, he was hired by The Greenbrier and worked there for one year before joining the staff at Le Perroquet and its sister restaurant, Les Nomades, the finest French restaurants in Chicago.   After several years in Chicago, he returned to Midland to join his family in the opening of Justine "Creative Cuisine" in 1982, which soon became famous for its exceptional cuisine and was featured in many national magazines as a five-star restaurant.   In 1987 the family opened a second restaurant on the premises, Café Edward, which operated with great success.  Upon his father Ed's retirement in 2001, Michael opened Tuma's on Torch in Alden, Michigan.  He concluded his career with several happy years at The Embers in Mt. Pleasant until its closing, followed by a stint with LaBelle Management and finally, worked as a chef/consultant at Bucks Run until the day before he passed away.  Michael was absolutely a world-class chef and everyone who experienced his cooking knew it. In addition to his exceptional culinary talent, Michael was a gifted guitarist who loved classic rock and the blues.  In fact, he was in bands on and off, mostly on, for over 50 years.  Who doesn't remember the Mystic Cycle, the Mounguays, and more recently, the Essentials?  Michael will be fondly remembered by all the musicians who played with him, most notably lifelong friend and musical soulmate, Tommy Minelli, Art "The Genius" Fredericks, Pat Sutton, and Ronnie Torres.  Upon hearing him play, many music lovers would comment that nobody played guitar like Mike Tuma. Michael is survived by his son, Jacob (Bennett) Tuma-Stewart  of Charlevoix,; daughter, Justine Tuma of Detroit ; former spouse, Ruth Tuma of Saginaw; brothers, Van (Patti) Tuma of Midland and Tony Tuma of Chicago; nephews, John (Luna Alexander) Tuma of Ferndale, and Daniel Tuma, of Midland.  Michael also leaves many special Tuma cousins all of whom he dearly loved and a best friend in art and sports, Jim Lahde of Mt. Pleasant. Michael was predeceased by his father, Edward Tuma; mother, Justine; brother, Todd; cousin, Tom Tuma; his fellow culinary classmate and friend, George Nessif; fellow original Essentials bandmate, Ed Baird; and many aunts and uncles who he and brother Todd will be cooking for soon, if not already, in Heaven.  Michael left this world a happy man as his beloved Spartans, Wolverines, and (in a special gift from above), the Lions, all won this past weekend! A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in late spring/early summer 2022. Memorial contributions may be made to the GI-TEC Culinary Arts Program at Mt. Pleasant High School (720 N. Kinney Ave., Mt. Pleasant, MI  48858) or the Isabella Community Soup Kitchen.  Envelopes are available at Michael's Celebration of Life or Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home. To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.