Clarence Haden Cribbs

C. Haden (Sonny) Cribbs, Jr., 79, of Beaumont, fell asleep in the Lord Thursday, June 22, 2017. He was born in El Paso on May 31, 1938, to Mary Louise Choate and Clarence Haden Cribbs, Sr.  Sonny is survived by his wife, Kevin Paula (Sekaly); daughters, Susanne Johnson and Candace LeMasters; sons, Jonathan Sekaly and wife, Barbie, and Beau Cribbs; and several grandchildren, including Haden Johnson, Scarlett Cozad, and Ezra Sekaly.  He is also survived by his two sisters, Beth Alexander and Lynda Etheridge, his brother Tommy Cribbs, his uncle Bobby Cribbs, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Sonny graduated from Beaumont High School in 1956 and went on to earn his undergraduate and law degrees from Baylor University after serving in the Military Police.  He began practicing law in Beaumont in 1964 and was awarded a certificate of recognition for 50 years of exemplary practice from the State Bar of Texas in 2014.  During the many years he was dedicated to the practice of law, he counseled and represented people from all walks of life.  Sonny couldn’t say “no” to anyone who needed help – to him, it was always about so much more than the money.  He was never afraid to take on the challenging cases.  He enjoyed a reputation for honesty and integrity among his peers.  On a personal note, he had a gift for making people feel special.  He spent his life successfully balancing his work with play.  When he wasn’t working, he could be found bowling, playing golf or baseball, or hosting three-day poker games.  He spent many hours with his friends on trips hunting and fishing. Sonny Cribbs — he was loved, respected, and enjoyed by many.   He was a good man. He will truly be missed.

A gathering of Mr. Cribbs’s family and friends will be held at St. Michael Orthodox Christian Church, 680 North 15th Street, Beaumont, at 4:00 pm on Sunday, June 25, 2017.  A Trisagion (memorial prayer service) will follow at 6:00 p.m.  His funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 26, 2017, at St. Michael Orthodox Christian Church, with his interment to follow at St. Michael Orthodox Cemetery, Beaumont.  Arrangements are under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. 

Pallbearers will be Kamal Bitar, Kevin Deitz, Haden Etheridge, George Haddad, Brack Jones Jr., Bobby Poorman, Steve Poorman, Jonathan Sekaly, and Courtney Sherman.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 680 North 15th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77702 or to Pups in Peril, P O Box 1655, Groves, TX 77619 .