Lionel Thibodeaux

Breaux Bridge - Funeral services will be held at 10 a .m. , on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge, for Lionel J. 'L.J.' Thibodeaux, Jr., 83, who died on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at his residence in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Entombment will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery No. 2 in Breaux Bridge. L.J. was a veteran of World War II having honorably served his country in the United States Navy. He worked in the entertainment industry in Hollywood as a public relations specialist. Highlights of his career were his public relations position with Desilu Studios in Hollywood during the 'I Love Lucy' shows, his ownership of a theatrical agency 'American Talent Management' in Houston, Texas and his creation of WKG-TV Video Electronics College in Baton Rouge. L.J. was a member of the Sheriffs Policing Institute Alumni Association of Hillsborough County, Florida. He was a people person who enjoyed his family and friends. Survivors include his wife, Connie M. Thibodeaux of Ocean Springs, MS; five sons, Keith Thibodeaux and his wife, Kathy, of Jackson, MS, Dwight Thibodeaux and Brian Thibodeaux, both of Lafayette, LA, Tate Thibodeaux, of Key West, FL, and Todd Thibodeaux, of Las Vegas, NV; three daughters, Katie Powell and her husband, Tim, of Orange, CA, Leslie Ragusa and her husband, Joe, of Allen, TX, and Debbie Schega and her husband, Rob, of Baton Rouge, LA; one sister, Myrtle Selge and her husband, Paul, of Terre Haute, IN; 13 grandchildren, Tara Drew, Stewart and Jake Embrey, Brianna Thibodeaux, Matt and Kristin Ragusa, Justin Reynolds, Cassie Mercante, and Steven, Shawn, Benny, Blake, and Shea Thibodeaux; and four great grandchildren, Gracelyn and Faith Mercante, and Aubrey and Triniti Thibodeaux. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eunice T. and Lionel J. Thibodeaux, Sr.; two brothers, Ellsworth and Terrell Thibodeaux; a sister, Rowena T. Pellerin; and a grandson, Brad Thibodeaux. The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and continue on Wednesday at 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Pallbearers will be Keith, Dwight, Brian, Tate and Todd Thibodeaux and Jake Embrey. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family.Pellerin Funeral Home, 211 Berard St., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 (337.332.2199), is in charge of arrangements.