Stanley Joseph Thibodeaux

A Celebration of Life will be held for Stanley Thibodeaux on January 28, 2023, at the Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul in Tyler, Texas, at 1435 E SE Loop 323. A rosary will be held at 10:30 am followed by a Memorial Mass at 11:00 am. Stan passed away on January 13, 2023 at the age of 100 1/2.

Stanley Joseph Thibodeaux was born in the small town of Church Point, Louisiana, on June 11, 1922, to J.W. and Augustine “Ms. Gussie” Beaugh Thibodeaux. He spent his early years in his hometown working at his family’s dry goods store.

In 1941, Stan (also known as “Poppie” to his family) joined the U.S. Army Air Forces, which eventually became the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at Randolph Field in San Antonio where he was an aviation mechanic. Stan also was a star athlete, playing basketball and pitching his softball team to the city championship.

During his time in San Antonio, Stan met Jeanette Knight, and they married on February 11, 1945. When WWII ended, Stan and his wife moved back to Church Point where their children Marla, Patricia and Lisa were born.

The family moved to Troup, TX in 1954 to help Jeanette’s father, JL Knight, with his feed and grist mill. While in Troup, the couple had their fourth child, a son named Stanley Jerard, lovingly referred to as “Rardi”.

Around the mid-1960s, the family moved again to Big Sandy, TX, where they bought into the Rose Package Store. The couple operated the store for 20 years.

Poppie always has been an avid lover of games and entertainment — anything from cards and dominoes to sports. He has also performed many impromptu harmonica solos.

At one point, Poppie was part of a small band that performed at local retirement homes and events. He enjoyed playing the guitar, banjo and the accordion.

After retiring, Poppie was most likely to be found on the golf course at Holly Lake Ranch.

Poppie is preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette Knight Thibodeaux, and by a great-grandson, Kyle Rardi McLeod. Following his wife’s death, Poppie continued living in his home with the support of family until the age of 98.

Poppie is survived by his four children: Marla (Jerry) Dulaney; Patricia (George) Connally; Lisa (David) Sadler; Rardi (Amy) Thibodeaux. He has 10 grandchildren: Kent McLeod, Tim McLeod, Chris Connally, Casey McLeod, Anjeanee (Connally) Hohenberger, Drue Connally, Martin Fitzgerald, Amanda (Thibodeaux) Kosmer, Courtney (Thibodeaux) Burnam and MyKayla Thibodeaux. Poppie is also survived by 21 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

Poppie will be laid to rest at a private interment held in Church Point, LA at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “Wounded Warrior Project” in Poppie’s memory: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/