John Thomas Bebeau

John Bebeau is the definition of a rascal.

We use the present tense because once a rascal, always a rascal.

John Thomas Bebeau, 60, passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2017. He was born on December 12, 1956, to Dr. Eugene Russell Bebeau, Sr. and Grace Kouns, in Beaumont, Texas, John Thomas was delivered as a package deal along with his twin sister, Charlotte Anne.

As a child, he was constantly motivated to keep his eight brothers and sisters smiling. Whether the jokes involved silly pranks or jumping on mattresses past bedtime with his older sister Cathy, it was no doubt that John loved the sound of laughter.

Being the fourth oldest of nine siblings, John had a larger than life presence that only added to the array of personalities inhabiting the Bebeau household on Crestwood Drive.

Blessed with a remarkable athletic ability, John was interested in every sport imaginable. Joining any team he could, John played Little League at Eugene Field, named after his father, and St. Anne’s where he attended school during his formative years.

Although some might say the Bebeau family was a team of their own, John’s focus on sports enabled him to create lifelong memories and friendships with many Beaumont natives who enjoyed the same hobbies.

As a teenager, John captured attention as a talented All District and All State quarterback for Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School even winning the prestigious John Greene Award. Inside the classroom, he was well liked. Although he maintained the personality ofa rambuncous class clown, John developed a special kinship with Sister Emily Bordages that was everlasting.

Growing up, John developed a unique fondness for Rice Owl football due mostly in part to his father’s love of the team. Despite neither having attended university there, Dr. Bebeau and John were as devoted to Rice Athletics as one could possibly be. Together they traveled across the country to places like Boise, Idaho, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and even Honolulu, Hawaii in order to cheer the team on during away games. These were some of John’s most cherished memories as his dad was one of his closest friends.

Captivated by an interest in the legal field, John graduated Lamar University as a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity with a B.A. in Criminal Justice.

John’s post-collegiate career included work as an independent claims adjuster for Employers Insurance of Texas and later, Abercrombie, Simmons and Gilpin. Eventually, John became a legal assistant at the law firm of Reaud, Morgan and Quinn in downtown Beaumont, where he worked for over 30 years.

In 1980, John entered into his first and only marriage with Lori Lynn Henderson, whom he met at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Orange, Texas. Together the couple had two children, Lauren Grace and Steven Blake.

From then on, John’s children were the light of his life and his motivation to wake up each day. John was the type of father who never forgot to remind his children of his love for them, especially during their routine family dinners every Wednesday night.

On any given day, John and Lauren could be found at the local movie theater catching the latest Hollywood blockbuster meanwhile every other weekend, father-son time consisted of John and Blake traveling to Houston to watch the Rockets play or venturing across the border to Louisiana for Cajun food and casino trips.

When he wasn’t with his kids, John maintained a close relationship with his older sister, Cathy, whom he communicated with often.

Speaking highly of her outwardly strong brother, Cathy notes that he also had a sensitive side.

“Beginning every phone conversation with “Dear,” John always made an effort to invite me to the movie night with his daughter. During the holidays, he would make me feel like the best cook in the world. I’m not the best cook, but he always made me feel special,” said Cathy Zummo, who will forever cherish the time shared with John.

Truth be told: no matter what was going on in his life, John constantly made an effort to be with the ones he loved the most.

During his final days, an immediate circle of family and close friends surrounded John at UMC Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. To you or I, this simple resort city in the Mojave Desert is just another tourist destination, but to John it was his self-proclaimed “Paradise on Earth,” a place full of fun and opportunity that he frequented each year.

Most passionate about his family, John leaves behind a heartbroken abundance of close relatives and friends: John is survived by his daughter, Lauren Grace Bebeau; son, Steven Blake Bebeau; brothers, Dr. Gene Bebeau, Terry Bebeau, Sam Bebeau, Earl Bebeau, and Fred Bebeau; sisters, Cathy Bebeau Zummo, Charlotte Bebeau Sorgee, and Theresa Bebeau Riggins; many loving nephews, nieces; childhood friends, Dr. Gary Clayton, Vincent Messina; co-workers at Reaud, Morgan, and Quinn law firm; and a feline house-pet named Greg.

John is preceded in death by his mother, Grace Kouns Bebeau; and his father, Dr. Eugene Russell Bebeau, Sr.

In celebration of John’s life, we invite you to share your laughter and express your love for one another. Take a walk outside, enjoy the sunshine, and as John would say, “Think positive.”

A gathering of John’s family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 2, 2017, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with his interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Southeast Texas Food Bank, P.O. Box 21012, Beaumont, Texas 77720.