Glenn Dale Thibodeaux, age 91, peacefully passed away on November 13, 2025, in Mansfield, Texas.
Glenn was born in Port Arthur, Texas on March 20, 1934, to Ulinor and Ida, Thibodeaux. He lived in Port Arthur most of his life before moving to Mansfield to be closer to his daughter and her family.
He grew up attending Saint James Catholic school then graduated from Bishop Byrne Catholic high school in 1952. After high school, he attended the University of Arizona on a football scholarship. After a year, he returned home to attend Lamar University, where he completed his degree. Later, he completed his master's degree from Stephen F Austin University. Glenn worked for the Port Arthur independent school district for 35 years as a teacher, vocational counselor, and the Director of Stilwell Technical School before retiring in 1998.
In 1956, God tugged on Glenn‘s heart leading him to St Mary’s seminary for two years. Even though his life shifted, that season shaped his spiritual life and deepen his faith to the god centered life that he would live.
In 1960, Glenn married the love of his life, Betty Torres. Together, they built a life over 58 years of devotion with a God centered marriage. They were blessed with two children, a son, Kirk, and a daughter, Amy!
Throughout his 91 years, he lived out his faith and in quiet, steady ways with kindness, humility, and generosity. He had a gift for making everyone feel loved and valued. Above all, family was his greatest joy and biggest blessing. His life was a testament to simple goodness and unwavering faith lived out each day. Glenn was a member of St. James parish for 88 years. While there, he served as an altar boy as a child and teen. Later, he was on the board for decades. St. James was very dear to Glenn.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his parents, Ulinor and Ida Thibodeaux and his brother (Bubba), Charles Ray Thibodeaux, and his niece Connie Thibodeaux Wiggins.
He is survived by his son, Kirk Thibodeaux, his daughter, Amy Ellington, and her husband, Steve. He was a proud “Pop” to his three grandsons, Connor Ellington and his wife, Adrianna, Nick Ellington and Lincoln Ellington. He was a “great Pop “to Jaxton (4) and Josie (19 months) who brought him pure joy the past two years. He is also survived by his nieces, Charlotte Dickerson, and Betty McMahon, and her husband, Paul, as well as many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
The family will have a visitation on Friday, November 21, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., with a rosary to be recited at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., at St. James Catholic Church in Port Arthur. Interment will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves.