Robert "Bert" Theal

Robert “Bert” Theal

1959 - 2019

Robert Jules “Bert” Theal, age 60, passed away on May 20, 2019. He was born in Rayne, LA on March 22, 1959 to Harry Teresa Theal and Shirley Ann Richard Theal.

A wonderful man with a big heart, Bert truly loved everyone. He possessed a quiet, caring nature with unique and simple ways of expressing himself; Bert was Bert. He mumbled often, grunted a lot, and it took great effort to get a response, but no one doubted or failed to feel how much he cared. Growing up in LaBelle and Fannett, he was the third oldest among his many brothers, until his baby sister, Marie, was born on his 10th birthday. He loved his family, and when he became “Uncle Bert”, one of his greatest treasures was his nieces and nephews, pouring his heart into and giving often to them. Fishing anywhere he could find a waterhole, Bert did not care if it was catfishing or saltwater fishing, he just loved to fish. His career as a construction worker and heavy equipment operator took him across the country: East, West, North and many other places. When he would visit home, he would often slip in quietly to visit and leave quietly, without a word, though when it came to supper, he could be heard asking “Is it cooked yet?”. In his later years, he utilized a simple fist bump to express his goodbyes. A car ride with Bert was an adventure in itself; a singular experience as Bert’s passenger, left many wishing they had been blindfolded beforehand. To say that Bert loved bottled Dr. Pepper’s is an understatement, and he could often be seen happily sipping his favorite drink. Evidence of his affection for Dr. Pepper could be found on the passenger floorboard of his truck, along with the residue of his dedicated scratch-off ticket habit. He could be found at many garage sales, estate sales and antique shops, visiting them as a hobby. Though Bert used few words in his life, many words of love affection dwell in the hearts of his loved ones, accompanying the memories of the man they loved so much. He will be missed.

Left to honor his memory are his brothers, Joe Theal of Winnie, TX, James “Pete” Theal and wife, Rhonda, of Beaumont, TX, Johnny “Odie” Theal and wife, Debbie, of Kountze, TX, Danny Theal of LaBelle, TX, Horace Theal of Vidor, TX, Jessie Theal of LaBelle, TX, Jason Theal and wife, Stephanie, of Weatherford, TX, and Jeff Theal of LaBelle, TX; baby sister and the best birthday present that he ever got, Marie Theal of Vidor, TX; 18 nieces and nephews, including his godchildren, Allen Theal, Katie Theal and Julie Tomas; 35 grandnieces and grandnephews; god-mother, Jeanette Duplantis; close friends, Willie Taylor and Shawn Henley; and numerous extended family and friends.

Bert is preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Lisa Theal; grandniece, Jaylee Theal; and great grandnephew, Bryston Theal.

Visitation with family and friends will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 23, 2019, at Lumberton Family Funeral Home, 766 S. Main St., Lumberton, TX 77657.

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