Jimmie Soileau

Jimmie Soileau, 79 began a new journey on April 30, 2022 in his home in Hill City, TX in the company of his loving wife Joni and his eldest daughter Tammi.

 

Jimmie was born to parents Joseph Evan Soileau and Dorothy Mary Livingstone at St. Mary’s Hospital in Port Arthur Texas on November 23, 1942.

 

Jimmie attended Travis Elementary and Woodrow Wilson Jr. High.

 

He graduated from Bishop Byrne High School in 1960 and attended LaMar Tech before joining the Coast Guard.

 

Jimmie served in the Coast Guard for four years from 1961-1964.

 

Jimmie married Cynthia Ross in 1961, and they had four sons, Marc, Kevin, Eric and Kerry.

 

After Jimmie and Cynthia’s marriage ended, he married Glenda Gallaway and had two daughters, Tammi and Laura Shea who went by Shea.

 

After Jimmie and Glenda’s marriage ended, he married Joan (Joni) Stachelek and gained a daughter and son, Kathy and Paul. There were together 33 years.

 

Jimmie was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Shea, son, Marc, and great-granddaughter, Eliana Perez.

 

Jimmie is survived by his wife Joni, brothers Tim, Gary and Don and sisters Cynthia and Denise sons Kevin, Eric and Kerry, daughter Tammi and many grandchildren.

 

Jimmie had 18 grandchildren.

Kevin’s children, Jeremy, Tevin, Cameron

Eric’s children Lauren Perez, Amber Hoffman, Ryan Crawford

Kerry’s children Savannah Stroder, Chelsea Crockett, Brittany Drum, Natalie, Marc, Brandi

Tammi’s children, Evhan, Indigo

Kathy Arce’s children Ravenne and Meighan

Paul Soyski’s children Adelaide and Harrison

 

He also had 7 great-grandchildren.

 

Jimmie was a very devoted husband and dad. He loved all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much. He loved to tell them stories about his experiences, and if you listened carefully there was always a lesson to be learned. He loved to teach.

 

Jimmie’s first job after leaving the Coast Guard was with Xerox.

 

Jimmie worked as an electrician in many locations such as Alabama, Washington and Colorado, many cities in Texas and Saudi Arabia.

 

Later, Jimmie worked as a training supervisor for nuclear power plants in Kansas and Texas.

 

Jimmie lived in many places, but his heart was always Cajun. He cherished his heritage and partied at every Mardi Gras and Jazz Festival he was able to make it to. He loved to dance.

 

Jimmie and Joni retired in 1997. They enjoyed RV’ing and visited every state and province on their adventures.

 

Jimmie’s hobbies included collecting fun hats and Jim Henson’s muppet, Animal apparel.

 

Jimmie also loved Rottweilers and trained many over the years.

 

In his younger years, he hunted elk and was a distance runner for many years and ran with the Hash House Harriers.

 

Later, Jimmie really enjoyed taking zumba and Silver Sneakers classes at the Hood County YMCA.

 

Jimmie was fascinated with airplanes and flying. He took pilot training and attended many air shows.

 

Jimmie detested cats and chocolate.

 

Jimmie’s favorite thing in life was to make others laugh and have fun. A visit from Jimmie usually involved him giving you Mardi Gras beads. He always said, “Just have fun!”

 

You can honor him by having fun.

 

Donations may be made to:

Tolar Volunteer Fire Department

Station 90

9003 Hwy. 377 W.

Tolar, TX 76476

 

Thank you to the staff at Solaris Hospice Care who provided comfort care for Jimmie and allowed him to remain in his home.

 

Online condolences for the family can be directed to www.wileyfuneralhome.com

 

Interment will be held at Pine Crest West Cemetery Mobile, Alabama.

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