Eugene Geno Thibodeaux

Eugene "Geno" Thibodeaux, 73, of Lake Charles passed away Thursday, December 15, 2011 in a local healthcare facility.

Mr. Thibodeaux was born in Rayne, raised in Boscoe and has lived most of his life in Lake Charles. He worked his younger years at the Port of Lake Charles. He worked twenty five years as a Truck Driver with the Teamsters Local, having driven for Strickland, Consolidated Freight and Matlack Trucking. Following his retirement, Mr. Thibodeaux worked twelve years as Courtroom Security for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office.

Mr. Thibodeaux enjoyed working in his yard, gardening, watching boxing and riding his Harley. He especially loved to cook and was "famous" for his Gizzard Gravy.

Having been inspired by Aldus Roger, "Geno" began playing music at the age of twenty-two. His self- taught musical talent was shared amongst a stage with many prominent bands, playing countless sets throughout Southwest Louisiana and Texas. He played with Cleveland Crochet and the Sugar Bees, Wallace Derouen and Belton Richard (during a time when Belton quit playing for a while the band became Geno Thibodeaux and the Musical Aces). He then started his own band, The Musical Kings. The latest of the bands he played with was Mack Manuel and the Lake Charles Ramblers. "Geno" leaves a legacy of Cajun French Music and in 1997 was inducted into the Cajun French Music Hall of Fame for his many contributions and numerous recordings as an Accordion player. His most cherished performances were the years shared on the stage amongst his two sons, Ricky and Craig, accompanying him on drums.

He was a member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church.

He leaves to honor his memory, three sons, Ricky Thibodeaux and wife Sharon of Ft. Worth, TX, Craig Thibodeaux and wife Melinda of Lake Charles and Michael Thibodeaux of Houston, TX; one daughter, Laurie Price and husband Raymond of Lake Charles; nine grandchildren, Devon Thibodeaux, Carrie and Megan Thibodeaux, Andrew, Sophia and Miccah Thibodeaux and Joshua, Jeremy and Emily Price; two great- grandchildren, Julia Fruge and Isabella Price; one brother, Filton Miller and wife Patsy of Mire; one sister, Nelda Trahan and husband Harry Lee of Mire and one sister-in-law Anna Leger of Carencro. He also leaves his loving companion, Enola Lee Chaumont.

He was preceded in death by his wife of forty-one years, Dorothy Mae Thibodeaux and one grandchild, Raymond Price.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Monday, December 19, 2011 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Monsignor Daniel Torres will officiate. Interment will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation Sunday will be from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary beginning at 6:00 PM. Visitation Monday will be from 8:00 AM until the time of service in the funeral home.