On Wednesday, October 21, 2020, Kenneth Joseph Hebert, aka Tha’ Bear, passed away at the age of 72.
Kenneth was born August 3, 1948 to Exo J. “Frenchie” Hebert and Annie Thompson Hebert in Jena, La. He was the second oldest of 4. He grew up in Rogers, La on Kitterlin Creek Bay with his siblings James “Jimmy” Hebert (Mary), Janice Hebert Wyatt (Edgar), and Dennis Hebert. Those who know and love him didn’t call it Rogers, it was really Bearville and he was the Mayor!
Bear was an avid storyteller and all the details mattered. He loved life in the country and living off the land. He thought there was nothing more valuable on earth than a good horse and hunting dog. And, he could crack a whip and blow a cow horn like nobody’s business. He was living proof that a “Country Boy can Survive” and we always believed that Hank wrote that song about him. But he always said his anthem was the lyrics from “Old Hippie” – “He's an old hippie, and he don't know what to do, should he hang on to the old, should he grab on to the new”. The world was changing, and “tha Bear” much preferred and cherished the “old ways”. He would always say, “Good Lord, the changes I’ve seen”.
Bear’s part of heaven is probably smelling like Gumbo today as he is reunited with his parents, Frenchie and Annie and his younger brother Dennis. And, I’m sure his best friend Gene Thompson is joining them at the table. He’s also likely to visit with the mothers of his children Billie Jean Edwards and Cecilia Rosier.
Missing the stories, laughter and wisdom of their father is Kathy Jean Hebert Baldridge (Robert), Kristie Jolene Hebert Tyler (Dareyl), Clinton Joseph Hebert, and Heath Conrad Rosier. Carrying on the legacy and spirit of PawPaw Bear are William Edgar Wise (Samantha), Justin Michael Burns (Alexis), Ian Tyler Baldridge (Emily), Blake Joel Burns (Paris), and Richard Dalton Wise. And we will be sure to tell the tales of PawPaw Bear to his great-grandchildren Tristan, Ian, Colton, Lily, Jeremiah, and Matthew.
Bear had an extended family of cousins, including Ray Thompson, who checked on him every week. He was an adopted Uncle Bear to many, including Savannah, and made quite a few really good friends from all walks of life. We are all blessed to have learned many valuable lessons from “tha Bear” - like eat fish on New Year’s day to make you smart, so you can make money and don’t work on Sunday, unless the ox is in the ditch (and that might could wait until Monday, unless it’s dying).
In memory of “tha Bear”, take a walk through the woods, help your neighbor, sit on the porch with a friend or family, and make a donation to your favorite charity. He would tell you that would be “most wondermus”.
You will be forever missed and thought of often because of the many lives you have touched during your stay on Earth. Enjoy being home in Heaven now and rest in peace!
We will celebrate his life Saturday, October 24 @ 2pm at Hurricane Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Bring a lawn chair and sit a spell. Tell us your favorite Bear story.