Cletus "Papaw" Preston Gibbons

Cletus was born on July 14, 1949 in Dumas, Texas, to Jackie Preston Gibbons and Pauline Bray Gibbons. He was the beloved brother of Paula Newman and Jackie Colletti, and the older brother of Gary, who passed away at birth.

Cletus was a member of the 1967 graduating class of New Iberia Senior High School, the first class to graduate from the new school. He continued his education for a few semesters at McNeese University, where the family would say he quickly discovered that he enjoyed college life a little more than college studies. Cletus also enrolled in and successfully completed Navy boot camp, although he never served during wartime.

Cletus was a hard worker who took great pride in his work. He spent many years working for Kerr-McGee Oil Corporation as an offshore Field Foreman and retired after 33 years of dedicated service.

Cletus married Jenny Marie Thibodeaux on January 29, 1972. They shared 48 years of marriage until her passing. Together, Cletus and Jenny built a home and a farm where they raised their two children: son Coby Preston Gibbons, married to Sheryl Rogers Gibbons, and daughter Kellie G. Broussard, married to Dave Broussard.

What began as a family farm eventually grew into something very special—a herd of Brangus cattle carrying the smiling “C” brand. Cletus had a way of turning his children’s interests into family adventures, and many memories were made traveling from state to state, showing cattle at fairs, festivals, and International Brangus Breeders Association shows. These adventures introduced them to friends and memories that would last a lifetime.

Cletus was a member of the Jeanerette Optimist Club and volunteered as a coach with the Jeanerette Little League Baseball and Biddy Basketball programs. Cletus influenced many young athletes during his time volunteering as a coach.

His grandchildren were his pride and joy. Cletus continued that same tradition of showing up for the people he loved. He followed Zachary, Jayden, and Lauren to local cattle shows and supported each of them in their own interests and accomplishments.

He loved cheering Zachary on from the stands while watching him play football. He traveled near and far to watch his grandson Jayden calf rope at rodeo competitions. And Lauren, his only granddaughter, held a particularly soft spot in her Paw-Paw’s heart.

Cletus welcomed daughter-in-law Amanda Monceaux to the family and looked forward to watching Zachary and Amanda build a life together. He was proud of his family and loved watching each generation grow.

Outside of work and family activities, Cletus was an avid duck hunter, and he enjoyed fishing and being outdoors. Cletus also enjoyed being part of a pool team, cooking for family and community events, and watching football. He was a man who enjoyed being surrounded by people, sharing a meal, telling stories, and simply being part of whatever was happening around him.

The latter part of Cletus’s life brought new challenges after he suffered a stroke. For five years, he worked through the deficits it left behind, refusing to give up his independence or allow his circumstances to define him. That determination and strength remained with him until the very end.

We would like to think that when he entered Heaven, his speech was restored, and he was finally able to make up for all those years of lost words—catching everyone up on everything they had missed and probably telling a few stories along the way. The family is grateful for the wonderful caregivers who allowed Cletus to remain at home, especially Nancy Thomas for her care and compassion until the very end.

Cletus was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jenny Thibodeaux Gibbons; his parents, Jackie Preston Gibbons and Pauline Bray Gibbons; and his baby brother, Gary.

Cletus leaves behind a family who will miss his presence, his determination, his humor, his stories, and most of all, the way he showed his love by simply being there. His greatest legacy is not only the home and farm he built, but the family, traditions, and memories he leaves behind.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Evangeline Funeral Home in New Iberia, Louisiana. Pastor Tracy King will officiate. Interment will follow at Beau Pre’ Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will take place at Evangeline Funeral Home on Saturday from 10:00 am until the time of service.

Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.