Gerald “Cooney” Sonnier

Gerald “Cooney” Sonnier, 67, of Winnie, died Friday, September 22, 2017. He was born on December 15, 1949, in Winshire, Texas, to Mabel and Matthew Sonnier.

Gerald, better known to his family and friends as Paw Paw or “Cooney”, loved working in his shop and making things for his friends and family. He was always the one to donate his talent to a good cause and loved giving his woodworking talent to his kids and grandkids.His other passions were playing the guitar and the love of airplanes.He played for many years with Jimmy and the Jokers. Some of the highlights of his musical endeavors were playing the Astro Arena in Houston and being asked by Johnny Paycheck to come up and play a few songs on stage with him. He was fortunate enough to play the HemisFair in San Antonio and then flew to Washington DC to play the American Folklife Festival. He flew airplanes as a hobby for a few years and, much like his dad, loved the old war planes.He was always up for a good airshow with his sons or grandson. 

Gerald is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Darlene Sonnier; children, Hank Sonnier and his wife, Amber; Bonnie Campisi; Shon Sonnier and his wife, Lacie; and Tony Thibodeaux, and his wife, Fawn; and grandchildren, Sierra Ickes and her husband, Joey, Montana Tubbs, Harley Sonnier, Alan Campisi, Kallie Sonnier, Harper Sonnier, Kirstie Parkhurst and husband, Kade; Kensie Doucette, Bailey Thibodeaux, Austin Thibodeaux, and adopted grandchildren, Victoria Cordon, Kristen Lezak, Mikie Manuel, Howie Manuel and Kylie Manuel; great-grandchildren, Sophie Ickes, Levi Ickes, Lyla Ickes, Michael Tubbs, Stetson Riley, Henleigh Parkhurst, and Westyn Price; sister, Linda Weekley and her husband, Wesley; brother, EJ Sonnier and his wife, Priscilla; father-in-law, Robert DeYoung; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Deborah Smith.

A gathering of Mr. Sonnier’s family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday, September 25, 2017, at First Baptist Church, 120 West Pear Avenue, Winnie. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at First Baptist Church, Winnie, with his interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie.