Kirth Thibodeaux

Kirth Michael “Jeep” Thibodeaux, 70, a native and resident of Bayou Blue, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2019 after a hard fought battle with cancer.

Jeep is survived by his loving wife, Patricia “Pat” LeBoeuf Thibodeaux; mother, Audrey D. Thibodeaux; sons, Todd Thibodeaux and wife Kimberly, and Chad Thibodeaux and wife Crystal; grandchildren, Parrish, Gabrielle and Emma Grace Thibodeaux, Brittany Pierre and Jamie Carrere; five great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Godfrey LeBoeuf Jr. and wife Anna; brothers, Willis Cunningham, Richard Cunningham and Cleveland “C.J.” Coulon; sisters, Sylvia Talbot, Dolores Coulon and Jane Coulon Brieden.

Jeep proudly served his country as a medic in the Army from 1969 to 1971 and four years inactive duty in the Army reserves. He lived his life as a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and friend. With his wife Pat, he ran Jeep’s Seafood for 30 years. Though he was a successful business owner he will be remembered for his ever present smile and generosity. He was a devoted member of St. Louis Catholic Church for 60 years where he served as an usher as well as a third-degree knight in the Knights of Columbus Council 7657.

Jeep loved his GOD, family and friends, the Saints and LSU in that order and beyond measure. A simple man, Jeep realized that happiness was contagious. That lasting satisfaction comes from doing, not from having. He believed that if he could put a smile on one person’s face each day it was a day not spent in vain. He understood that feeling good about oneself comes from helping someone in need. It doesn’t have to be someone less fortunate nor does it have to be done with great fanfare. Knowing you’ve made a difference in another person’s life is a “Wow!” you can repeat endlessly.

When the cancer returned last year and proved to be terminal, Jeep resolved to be joyful about having had a full life, rather than sad about the prospect of death. He returned home with hospice and spent his last days in the company of family and the many friends that filled their home each day. He said that no one knows for certain how long we have here, nor can we foresee the trials or misfortunes that will test us along the way. We cannot know what God’s plan is for us. What we can do is to live out our lives as best we can with purpose. We can use each day to show those who are closest to us how much we care about them, and treat others with the kindness and respect that we wish for ourselves. We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures. And we can strive at all costs to make a better world, so that someday, if we are blessed with the chance to look back on our time here, we know that we spent it well; that we made a difference; that our fleeting presence had a lasting impact on the lives of others; that our life was pleasing to God.

This is how Jeep lived. This is his legacy.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Veterans Administration, the doctors and nurses of Ochsner Clinic and Hospital, St. Joseph Hospice, the Eucharistic Ministers of St. Louis Catholic Church, the Southeast Louisiana Radiation Oncology Group of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and to the multitude of friends, family and extended family whose love, support, prayers and encouragement sustained us during this difficult time.

Kirth Thibodeaux