Eugene (Gene) Felton Thibodaux, Jr.

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Gene Thibodaux was born January 5, 1953 at the Fort Sam Houston Military Base in San Antonio, Texas.   He was the oldest son of Sgt. Eugene and Carolyn Thibodaux.  Four more sons would quickly follow in this family with Gene leading the way in adventures and mischief.   Life was never dull at the Thibodaux house.

Gene graduated from Gonzales High School in 1971.   He married Angie Hastings in 1974.   Together they had three sons, one daughter and a stepdaughter.  His first occupation was in marine repair.  He became a notable outboard mechanic who was consulted even by the outboard factories concerning difficult repairs.

Gene followed the family tradition of powerboat racing, a sport for which he had enthusiasm and talent.  His extraordinary talent in racing would dictate much of his life.   He became a professional power boat racer early in his life and would continue in this occupation until 1988.  His career was legendary.  Gene reached great heights in powerboat racing including:  becoming the first American to win the International Formula One Power Boat Championship in 1986, winning the Champ Boat National Championship, several national championships and many other accolades.  He even set a Bass Boat World Speed Record.  This all was quite dangerous, and Gene was in and out of the hospital several times after crashes in these boats at very high speeds.  After he left the racing world, he opened a marine repair shop.  Gene would later marry Linda Sterling and subsequently wed Connie Blundell. 

In April of 2013, Gene suffered three strokes which paralyzed him and took his ability to speak.   The strokes, however did not impair his courage, his wit or his willingness to fight.   His last three years involved a great battle for Gene in his attempt to regain his physical abilities.  He fought valiantly, but lost the war on June 7, 2016.

Gene is preceded in death by his stepdaughter Donna Renee Thibodaux, his father, Eugene Felton Thibodaux, Sr., and his brother Dennis Wayne Thibodaux.  Gene is survived by his mother, Carolyn Thibodaux of San Antonio, TX, his brothers Gary Lynn of San Antonio, TX, Donald Joseph of Tomball, TX and Robin Otto of Santa Rosa, CA.    He is also survived by four children:  Timothy of Lumberton, TX, Colin of Dallas, TX, Aaron of Lakeland, FL and Mary Katherine Nason of Lakeland, FL.  Additional survivors include seven beautiful grandchildren, with two more on the way; as well as nieces and nephews all over the country.

The George Family Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas is where Gene will be finally laid to rest on Sunday, June 12th at 2 PM.

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