Marc O Goodeaux

To Marc O Goodeaux, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Marc, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Marc really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Marc was born on August 18, 1969 at West Cal-Cam Hospital in Sulphur, Louisiana. His parents were Bobby and Karen Goodeaux. Marc was raised in Westlake, Louisiana. Even as a child, Marc had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. He was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, he succeeded in entertaining his entire family.

Always a good playmate, Marc was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Marc managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Marc was raised with four siblings. He had one older half sister, Marie; one older half brother, Dwayne and two younger brothers, Glenn and Chris.

All of Marc's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. As a result, Marc experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He took part in T-ball and football. He was a Boy Scout. Marc's memorable achievements included going to Regionals in Bethany, OK on the Louisiana District Bible Quiz Team.

Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Marc was a class “cut-up.” He didn’t do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Marc simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Marc, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience. Since experience was Marc's best teacher. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Marc graduated from Westlake High School in 1989. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was math. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Mrs. Brenda Guillory.

Marc reveled in his college years, where his imagination could run free. He was viewed by many of his classmates as being a creative, artistic person. Marc was usually found at the center of things, whether it was during class or in extracurricular activities. He was a jovial person who loved to share his passion for fun with others. But for Marc, life was not a case of all play and no work. Marc relished the task of putting his imagination to work in class. He was able to discover new and different ways of answering problems and creating unusual and different solutions. He earned his Certified Diesel Mechanic from Universal Tech Institute, in Houston, Texas in 1990.

Marc never actually encountered a stranger in his dealings with people. He was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality allowed Marc to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. Marc delighted in his role among all his acquaintances, because he viewed them all as potential spectators for his performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Marc was always right at home putting on a show among his friends. Marc utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of his best friends were Tom and John Barnett. Later in life, he became friends with Jerry and Cindy Collins, John and Troy Allen, Albert Daigle and Frankie Wicks. Marc loved sharing life and having his home filled with people he knew.

As kids his brother Glenn recalled a story of things brothers do. "I remember when Marc was sick and we lived at grandma Broussard's house and he was laying in bed, and we saw a movie the night before where a boxer does something called the"Mary Lou". Where the boxer turns his arm around in a circle and then lands the winning punch. So I thought I would turn my around and act like I would hit Marc when for some reason he moved forward and I landed a punch right in the mouth, and he cried for mom and we found out his tooth was loose."

Sylvia Pourciaux recalls the tender side of Marc and his feelings about three children, he wanted to take and raise. "Without hesitation Marc assumed the role of parent to three children. He always put them first. I hope that these children realize how blessed they were to have been taken such good care of and live happy productive lives. God Bless Marc Goodeaux."

When people thought about Marc one of the characteristics that came to mind about him was his playfulness and big teddy bear qualities. Susan "Duece" Doucet recalled this, "I could always count on Marc to give me a hard time everytime he brought the kids to see the doctor. Karen said we fought like brother and sister. I would threaten to go get his mom after he picked at me. And of course he would say "I'm not afraid of her". I will miss this sense of humor and the fun times we shared"

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Marc very easy to approach. On October 10, 1992 Marc exchanged wedding vows with Cindy Manning at Lake Charles First Church of the Nazarene of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Sometimes, we do not understand the reason or reasons, but we are not meant to be together forever as in the life of Cindy and Marc.

At work, as in life, Marc was a real “people person.” He had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Marc liked to see himself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Marc was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Marc's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Marc as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was laborer/operator diesel mechanic. He was employed for five years by The City of Westlake Water Department,.

Marc enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Marc liked creating and making things. His favorite pursuits were hunting and fishing. Marc was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Marc felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if he wasn’t the best, Marc loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Marc relished the opportunities where he could make an impact, and he would often push himself to play above his abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Marc never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. In high school, Marc played football. Marc was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were football; especially the New Orleans Saints; and wrestling.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Marc recognized that his faith was important to him throughout his life. He was a member of Westlake Church of the Nazarene for 17 years during his childhood. During that time, he was a member of the Westlake Bible Quiz Team and helper on the church bus.

Living life in the fast lane suited Marc just fine. It is no surprise that he loved to travel and to visit new and different places. He was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. He was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included Astroworld and Waterworld in Houston.

Marc was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. One of Marc's favorites was Ricky, a Rhodesian Ridgeback dog.

Marc passed away on October 18, 2012 at West Cal-Cam Hospital. He had congestive heart failure and got pneumonia. He is survived by his mom, Karen; his three brothers, Glenn, Chris and Dwayne and his sister, Marie. Services were held at Hixson Funeral Home in Westlake, Louisiana.

Marc brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Marc O Goodeaux lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.

A BROTHER'S LOVE

I always looked up to him. Always wanted to be with him, be like him and go with him. But I could not for I was his biggest pest, but I loved him. As I got older, he wanted to talk to me, hang out with me. But he was my biggest pest.

He helped me be tough, helped me get off drugs, helped me be a father to my little girl and the man I have become today. If I could be half the man he was, then I would do great things, like him. If I could be just half the man he was, I would be much happier.

He heart was so BIG just like him. He had to be big, to hold all that heart inside him. He helped everybody he could. No matter if they screwed him and most likely they would. He knew they would but he didn't care about that. It made him feel GOOD inside which was better than money could buy.

He was smarter than I thought, but I didn't realize it til he died. He seemed to play me for a fool, but it was for my own good. He took the side effects of meth and blew them up in my head. I was so paranoid, that I quit that stuff quick!! He was good to Zozo and I. I know he loved us and that's why he plotted and schemed to get me off drugs. He did it to so I would man--up and be a dad for my little angel. He did it for her, for me, and for Momma Bear too. He was a GOOD man and did GREAT things for me and all of you. I wish I could have seen this sooner so I could tell him THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU!!!!! I LOVE YOU, MARC O. GOODEAUX, the angel who walked among us.

By Your Little Bubba,

Chris Goodeaux