DON NATHAN “PETE” BOUDREAUX
April 3, 1943 – August 1, 2021
Don Nathan “Pete” Boudreaux of Verdunville, LA passed away at his home at the age of 78 on Sunday, August 1, 2021. Pete, as he was affectionately known, was born on April 3, 1943. He was the son of Nathan & Mattie Boudreaux and Rhoder Belle Smith.
At the age of 14, Pete took an interest in flying and started to hang around the airport in Patterson. At which time Scott Tibbs Sr. and Scott Tibbs Jr. took him under their wings and taught him how to fly. He worked as a crop duster for 32 years throughout the US and Canada until health issues would no longer allow him to continue his flying career. An entrepreneur at heart and not content with one job at a time, Pete also had a 300 ton Captain’s license and piloted vessels from the Intracoastal Canal up the East Coast as well as piloting tug boats all over the bayous of Louisiana. He also built and operated his own shrimp boat and was owner and operator of a dump truck business.
A model airplane enthusiast, he built and flew RC planes and traveled to RC events all over the United States. As a child he traveled extensively with his parents, cementing his lifelong love of being on the open road. One of his favorite trips was to load up his truck and toy-hauler, leaving home in the early morning, arrive in Hempstead, TX at The Thirsty Parrot Bar & Grill where his good friend Dan Easter would have his spot in the parking lot for his rig to stay the afternoon and night, eating and drinking with friends. The next morning he would pull out headed to Harwood, TX to meet up with his friends Keith and Shirley Coover, staying the afternoon and night at their home. Then finally off to his final destination San Antonio Flying Field (River City Radio Control Flyers), where he would always arrive days ahead of the event so he could get his favorite spot. When he would get back from one trip he would be planning out the next. He also liked duck hunting, fishing and spending time with family and friends.
Those he leaves to cherish his memory include his wife of 30 years, Ree-Ree Durocher Boudreaux; their son, Cordell Boudreaux and his wife Virginia; his daughter, Suzanne Boudreaux Lofgren and her husband Kevin; his son, Jason Rip Boudreaux; step-daughter, Sabria Hill McGuire and her husband Darrin; ten grandchildren, Eli Boudreaux, Wyatt Boudreaux, Mia Boudreaux, Staci Dawn Tune, Jenna Rae Knoepfel, Taylor Nicole Weaver, Brenna Boudreaux, Lacie Hill Corman, Garland Hill Jr., and Lester Trent Hill; as well as three nieces, one nephew, a host of great grandchildren, and many in-laws. He will also be missed by many dear and close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nathan Joseph Boudreaux, Mattie Smith Boudreaux, and Rhoder Belle Smith; his brother, Thoville Smith and his wife Joyce; his sister, Merle Smith and her husband Cecil; his mother-in-law, Mary Jane G. Durocher Rogers; his step-son, Garland Dean Hill Sr.; great granddaughter, Malerie Corman; and great grandson, Rye Michael Hill.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Franklin Home Health Care, Heart of Hospice, and a special thanks to his caregivers for the past 15 months, Jessica Darby and Rose Martin.
Memorial services will be held Monday, August 9, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. at Ibert’s Mortuary. Inurnment will follow in the Boudreaux Family Mausoleum in the Franklin Cemetery. Father Joel Faulk will conduct the services. The family requests that visiting hours be observed Monday at Ibert’s from 9:00 a.m. until service time.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made in Pete’s name to the American Heart Association: visit online at https://www.heart.org/, by mail at PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 (please download the mail in form), or contact the AHA at 1-800-242-8721.
Family and friends may view the obituary online by visiting www.iberts.com and are encouraged to share their condolences, cherished memories, love, and support for the family.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, LA 70538, (337) 828-5426.