It is with heavy hearts and deep love that the Breaux family announces the passing of Antoine “Tan” Breaux, a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and dear friend. Tan, as he was affectionately known, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 12, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was 94.
Tan was born on February 24, 1932, in Loreauville to the late Alfred Breaux and Alida Menard Breaux. He was the youngest among five children and was raised with the enduring values of hard work, faith, and a deep love for family.
At the age of five, Tan and his family moved to New Iberia, where they operated a store on Walton Street. Even as a young boy, Tan demonstrated his strong work ethic, delivering prescriptions and goods on his bicycle for Taylor’s Drugs while attending school. He graduated from New Iberia High School with the Class of 1951. Following graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Korean War.
Upon receiving his honorable discharge, Tan returned home to New Iberia and began a career with the United States Postal Service. He dedicated 30 years of faithful service, retiring in 1987. Never one to shy away from hard work, Tan also held evening jobs as a bartender at some of the area’s favorite gathering places, including Podnuh’s, Pangay’s, and Signorelli’s. He enjoyed meeting the many country music stars that performed there.
Beyond his working years, Tan was a man of many talents and interests. He was perhaps best known for his musical abilities, playing the guitar and singing with his band, the Good Ole Boys.
Tan also had a remarkable green thumb and took great pride in his garden. He became especially well known for growing some of the largest pumpkins in New Iberia, one was even once featured in The Daily Iberian. Along with his vegetables, Tan raised cattle and chickens and also made some of the best pecan fudge and pralines around.
When he wasn't tending to his garden or caring for his home, Tan enjoyed traveling, camping, and riding his motorcycle. Tan was the founder and past president of the Good Sams Club, Bayou Teche Samers, Chapter 15, where he shared his enthusiasm for camping and the great outdoors with fellow members. Among their favorite places to visit were Nashville and the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains.
Tan, may your soul, and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 43 years, Joanne Daugherty Breaux; his children, Donald J. Breaux, Tommy J. Breaux (Danny), Jeffery T. Clark (Peggy), and Lt. Col. Bradley A. Breaux (Ashley); his grandchildren, Katie Runnels (Denny), Karissa Clark, Madelynn Clark, Braydden Clark, Eleanor Breaux, and Wyatt Breaux; his great-granddaughter, McKenzie Hebert; his two godchildren, Allen Prados and Pam Comeaux; and Donald and Tommy’s mother, Delores Breaux.
Along with his parents, Tan was preceded in death by his grandson, Aharon Clark; his siblings, Ivan Breaux (Oline), Lucille Prados (Lee), Rosie Landry (Tony), and Lorena Romero; his niece and nephews, Nola Champagne, Jimmy Romero, Gerald Breaux, and Grady Prados; his father- and mother-in-law, Wayne and Virginia Daugherty; his sisters-in-law, Donna and Patricia; and his brother-in-law, Peter Daugherty.
Funeral services celebrating Tan's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Evangeline Funeral Home, with Fr. Ed Degeyter officiating. Following the service, Tan will be laid to rest at Beau Pre Memorial Park Cemetery, with military honors rendered by the Acadiana Veterans Honor Guard.
A gathering of family and friends will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Evangeline Funeral Home and will remain open throughout the night until services on Thursday. A rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, led by the Men's Rosary Group.
Serving as pallbearers will be Danny Terrebonne, Braydden Clark, Cade Comeaux, Caleb Lolan, Tony Schnotala, and Eric Bayard. Honorary pallbearer will be Wyatt Breaux.
Family and friends are encouraged to share their memories and condolences with the Breaux family by visiting Tan's memorial at www.evangelinenewiberia.com.
Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
