Jackie Gibbons

Jeanerette – Funeral services will be conducted for Jackie Preston Gibbons, 88, affectionally known as “Papaw,” on Friday, March 3, 2017, at 1:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Jeanerette with Rev. Bruce Watson and Rev. Geran Maples officiating. Burial will follow in the Beau Pre Mausoleum.

Visitation will be at the First Baptist Church in Jeanerette on Friday, March 3, 2017, from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM.

A native of Dalhart, Texas and a longtime resident of Jeanerette, Mr. Gibbons passed away on Friday, February 24, 2017, at 3:55 PM at Maison Teche Nursing Home in Jeanerette.

Jackie was a generous, godly man who loved his family, especially his wife Pauline. He worked in the petroleum industry for Shamrock and Kerr-McGee’s subsidiary Transworld Drilling.  He completed his career working for Directional Drilling, Inc. and became friends with the owner, Mr. Jimmy Vanderhider, whom he remained in contact with after retirement.  Once he retired, Jackie earned his pilot’s license and became an avid pilot. Most of his flying hours included flying skydivers from the Jeanerette Airport. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing, boating, and bird watching. One of his hobbies was raising birds: pigeons, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, cockatiels, and parrots. He took much pride in teaching his parrots to talk and had a natural love for all animals. He always had a dog by his side and was proud of the many tricks he taught them. Whether it was the stray dog that found its way to Jackie’s small farm or the new skydiver seeking an adventurous pilot, Jackie never met a stranger. He was a friendly man with a good sense of humor. During his time at Maison Teche, he had a playful nickname for some staff members, such as Spicy, Goldilocks, Nichelle My Bell, The Girl with the Pony Tail, Blue Eyes, and many others. The Gibbons family thanks the staff at Maison Teche and are grateful for the care and attention given to Jackie by his hospice nurse, Erin Viator.

Jackie is survived by his son, Cletus Gibbons and his wife Jenny of Jeanerette; his daughters, Paula G. Newman and her husband Ronald of Carencro and Jacqueline G. Colletti and her husband Joe Jr. of Poland, OH; his sister, Jobyna G. Shields of Pierre, SD; his step-brother, Wade Gibbons and his wife Maxine of Denver, CO; his grandchildren, Coby Gibbons and his wife Sheryl of Youngsville, Kellie Broussard and her husband Dave of Broussard, Jennifer Ewing and her husband Jude of Lafayette, Bradley Newman and his wife Amber of Carencro, Joseph Colletti III and his wife Lauren of Spring, TX and Kay Torres and her husband Eddie of Poland, OH and eleven great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 67+ years, Pauline Elizabeth Bray Gibbons; his parents, Bud Gibbons and Freda Jack Anderton, his son, Gary Lee Gibbons, and his brother-in-law, Raymond Shields.

Pallbearers will be Coby Gibbons, Bradley Newman, Joseph Colletti III, Zachary Gibbons, Aiden Colletti, and Jayden Broussard.

Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Joe Coleman, Royce Shields, and Wade Gibbons.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Gibbons’ honor to Bridgeway Hospice, 2014 W. Pinhook Drive, Suite 604, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508.

You may sign the guest register book and / or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org

David Funeral Home of New Iberia, 1101 Trotter St. (337) 369-6336 is in charge of arrangements.