Lt. Colonel (USAF Ret) Antoine and Beverly Theriot, beloved spouses, parents and grandparents, went to their heavenly home only 3 days apart after having spent 68 years building a remarkable life and legacy together.

Most recently of Sun City/Georgetown, Antoine (AJ or Tony) Theriot Jr., 90, passed away May 24, 2023 and Beverly (Bev) Mary Broussard Theriot, 91, followed him on May 27, 2023. Both were born in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana; Bev on December 14,1931 and Tony on October 17, 1932; both into longtime Louisiana families who spoke native French.

Bev and Tony attended St. Bernard Catholic High School in Breaux Bridge and graduated as high school sweethearts. Bev was the Senior Class President and Tony was Treasurer. That combination would be a lasting one. They both played basketball and Bev made it known that Tony had the nicest legs-of the girls' OR boys' team. After graduation they enrolled at Southwestern Louisiana Institute (or SLI, but now known as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, or ULL). Tony graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration; later down the road, he earned a Master's degree in Bus. Admin. from Central Michigan University. Bev started at SLI, interrupted her education to raise a family, and later determinedly returned to college, finishing her degree in General Studies at what was then the Univ. of Southwestern LA (now ULL), in 1981.

Tony entered the Air Force in June of 1954, proposed to Bev while in training at Columbus AFB in Mississippi, and the two were married in September of that year, in Breaux Bridge. And here is where the story truly begins - starting with a bold decision to move away from the small hometown in which they had both grown up. For the times, we have to think that took no small amount of courage.

Bev had son #1 and Tony was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. Tony was awarded his pilot wings at Goodfellow Air Force Base (AFB) in Texas in August of 1955, followed by a transfer to Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico, where son #2 was born. Next was a move to Altus AFB in Oklahoma, spending several years there during which both daughters were born. After that was Maxwell AFB in Alabama, then to MacDill AFB in Florida, followed by a 4-year stay at Ramstein AFB in Germany and finally, Andrews AFB in Maryland in the early 70s.

While Tony took to the skies in B-36s, B-52s, and F-4s to protect America, Bev took to raising and corralling four kids. Among other assignments, Tony flew B-52s for 7 years as part of the Strategic Air Command. Later, he would spend a year in Vietnam, while Bev sheltered her kids in Tampa through Hurricane Gladys in 1968. Both were devoted in their protective missions.

A proud pilot and a proud dad, Tony later worked with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and with Air Force Systems Command as he wound down his years of active service. He received many service awards along the way, including a Bronze Star, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Longevity Service Award and National Defense Service medal.

Bev worked as a secretary for a short period but mostly Bev worked for Brad, Guy, Denise and Karen as a fantastic mom, a superb domestic engineer, a gifted seamstress, a marvelous cook and an amazing cake decorator. All while being the consummate spouse to a military man. Not sure which of them had the tougher job.

As the family traveled around to different Air Force bases, Bev and Tony made sure their kids were well-rounded. From snow skiing in Austria to the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. From towing a pop-up camper around Europe to going to the '72 Olympics in Munich, Germany. From the beaches of Florida to a bullfight in Spain. From the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France to Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark. And many a summer the family returned to Breaux Bridge to be reminded of their Cajun roots.

When Tony retired as Lt. Colonel in 1977, the family moved to Louisiana where Tony worked for Lafayette Crewboats and Prudential Insurance. From there Bev and Tony headed to Niceville Florida where Tony worked for a Dept. of Defense contractor; then later he helped manage the Port Armor Golf Course with his best friend of many years. Niceville is also where years of wonderful family memories were made involving grandkids, summer vacations, and the sugar- white beaches around Destin. In 2003, Bev and Tony moved for the last time to Sun City in Georgetown, TX, to be closer to family.

Both devout Catholics, Bev and Tony were involved in many of the Catholic Churches they were members of as well as organizations outside the church. Each was a Eucharistic Minister. Tony was a member of Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis and the Military Conference of Catholic Men as well as The Retired Officers Association. Bev was active in CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine), Military Council of Catholic Women as well as PTA, Boy Scouts and the Sun City Mountain Dulcimer Club. Bev took a trip to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina where the Blessed Virgin Mary has been appearing and giving messages to the world since 1981. It is an important place of pilgrimage and encouragement for faith and spiritual life and it was a phenomenal, very special trip to Bev.

Tony enjoyed golf, chocolate, golf, The Roadrunner, golf, ice cream and old western movies. And more golf. Bev enjoyed cookie baking (her hands-down-unsurpassed chocolate chip cookies will be missed!), gumbo making, cake decorating, sewing, golf, crochet, bingo and playing the dulcimer. As a matter of fact, Bev turned down a few offers to spend time with her kids because she had a "gig" with the Sun City Dulcimer Club. Both relished good Cajun cooking, big family dinners and at least one crawfish boil every year.

Tony (an only child) was preceded in death by his parents, Antoine Theriot and Marie Louise (Angelle) Theriot. Bev was preceded in death by her parents, Michel and Clemence (Bella) Bergeron Broussard; brothers Clifford, Ray and infant brother Michel Jr.; and sisters Genevieve Ayo, Carrie Baudoin and Ruby Robin. Both were preceded in death by cherished grandson Blake Anthony Theriot.

Bev and Tony are survived and forever treasured by their four children and families: Brad Theriot, DDS (Colleen) and son Casey; Guy Theriot and children Courtney Andren (Cameron) and Kyle Theriot (Kirsten); Denise Brown (Terry) and daughter Jordyn; and Karen Jeffries (Kenneth) and children Allison Ekonomou (Corbett) and Matthew Jeffries. Their great grandkids are Amelia and Clayton Theriot, and Mia Andren. They will also be greatly missed by many nieces and nephews.

Through the decades, Tony and Beverly led their family with faith, love, kindness, humor, encouragement, patriotism, and resolve. They taught their kids how to pray, how to give of themselves and how to persevere through tough times, modeling a journey of unconditional love and leaving a legacy of inspiration. In turn, they were deeply loved and will be missed. Godspeed and rest in peace to these two servant souls, who left the world a better place.

Tony and Bev's joint memorial service will be at Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church in Florence, Tx, June 9 at 11AM. A rosary will precede the service and a reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Wounded Warriors, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, American Heart Association, Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church or a charity of your choosing.