Newton Jerrell Thigpen Jr.

Newton “Jerrell” Thigpen Jr., 75, passed from this life on Jan. 17, 2025, peacefully, with family by his side. He was born in Lake Charles, La. to Newton Jerrell Thigpen Sr. and Joyce LaVern Thigpen of Lake Charles, La. Jerrell was enlisted in the USNR from 1968-1974, during which time, he served in Vietnam. He [...]

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Published 5:00 am Wednesday, January 29, 2025 By obitsamericanpress Newton “Jerrell” Thigpen Jr., 75, passed from this life on Jan. 17, 2025, peacefully, with family by his side.

He was born in Lake Charles, La. to Newton Jerrell Thigpen Sr. and Joyce LaVern Thigpen of Lake Charles, La.



Jerrell was enlisted in the USNR from 1968-1974, during which time, he served in Vietnam. He was known by his family and friends to have a love for the outdoors and an infectious laugh. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed being the one who caught the biggest fish.

He found joy in cooking Cajun food for his friends and family on an open fire in his cast iron pots or slowly cooking a meal on top of a wood fire stove. He was a cowboy at heart and never went anywhere without his hat. The mountains were where he felt at home and the mountains will be his final resting place.

Those left to cherish his memory are the mother of his children and love of his life, Priscilla Mott Thigpen of Sulphur, La.; his children, Charleen Thigpen, of Moss Bluff, La., David Thigpen of Houston, Texas, Tanya Thigpen of Baton Rouge, La.

, and Sara Dickinson (Jason) of Sulphur, La.; grandchildren, Garrett Busby, Tyler Thigpen, Pippa Thigpen, Bryce Dickinson, Rylee Dickinson, Lucy Dickinson, and Lilly Dickinson; his mother, Joyce LaVern Thigpen; siblings, Donald Thigpen (Peggy), Joyce Richard, Debra Thigpen, Dennie Thigpen, Virgil Thigpen, Ricky Thigpen, Tracy Thigpen, Charlotte Leatherwood (Darrin), along with numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Newton Jerrell Thigpen Sr.

and siblings, the Rev. John Thigpen, Ernest Thigpen and Rodney Thigpen. The family would like to express our appreciation for the staff at Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, Ariz.

and their entire medical team for their dedication and compassion. We would also like to extend a special thanks to his daughter, Tanya Thigpen, and his nephew, Jared Johnston, for their sacrifice, selflessness and pertinacity to be by his side in his final days. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

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