James "Jimmy" Brinkhaus

“I know that soon my life will be over. I thank God for it, and for all He has given me in this life…But I look forward to Heaven.” Jimmy, age 63, left us on November 28, 2023. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of his family. Visitation will be held in Sibille Funeral Home chapel, of Opelousas, on December 1, 2023 from 10 AM to 9 PM with a rosary to be recited at 7 PM. Visitation will resume from 8 AM until 11:30 AM. A Christian Mass will be held at 12 Noon at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church of Opelousas. It was his wish to be cremated with a private interment at Bellevue Memorial Park mausoleum to be held at a later date.

Jimmy was a lifelong resident of Opelousas and was raised among a large, loving, and  supportive family. He attended Belmont Academy, graduating in 1978, and went on to attend Delgado Community College to study Diesel Mechanics. In 1979, he began his mechanical career as a mechanic for the City of Opelousas. In October of 1980, he took a job opportunity at Industrial Lift Truck, where he would remain employed for 40 years. In 2021, Jimmy took a huge leap of faith and successfully opened Brinkhaus Forklifts Sales and Service, LLC. Jimmy was a skilled mechanic and had a reputation of being able to fix anything, as well as being an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He had an enormous and generous heart and wonderful sense of humor. No one who knew him can forget his unique but genuine laugh. Jimmy faced his cancer diagnosis with courage, strength, and dignity. The FaceTimes, phone calls, cards and visits he received during his illness and up until the time of his passing, were a tremendous source of peace, joy and comfort to him. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Lisa Chapman Brinkhaus, his children, Christopher Brinkhaus (Samantha) of Pineville, Ashley Broussard (Travis) of Lafayette, Brandon Brinkhaus (Scarlet) of Eunice, and Anna Marie Brinkhaus of Opelousas. The greatest joy of his life and his legacy are his grandchildren, Sean, Jaxson, Zane, Collin, Abigail, Liam, Lana, Roan, Kasen, Beaux, Carlene, Rilynn, and Kross. Jimmy is also survived by his siblings, Bill Brinkhaus (Jamie), Elizabeth Padgett (Charles), Heidi Verette (Casey), Deirdre Polanco (Marcelo), Aline Duplechain (Joey), Ingrid Hodges (Daryl), Christian Brinkhaus (Anna), Hans Brinkhaus (Monique), Haley Landry (Howard), Erica Guidry (Keith), and Greta Roaix (Randy). His sister-in-law, Becky Salassi (Greg) and brother-in-law, Michael Chapman (Michele). Aunts, Jamie Gaiennie, Becky Michelle, and Margaret Brinkhaus and an Uncle, Dr. Michael Prejean. Godchildren, Erica Guidry, Renee Provost, Brandon McIver Katie McIver, Kiley McIver, Tim Chapman, Benjamin Brinkhaus and Chance Carroll.  Jimmy was fortunate to have numerous nieces and nephews who loved and respected him dearly, as well as many trusted and loyal friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Diane Brinkhaus, brothers, Kyle Jude, Thomas Paul, and Kyle Andrew, his paternal grandparents, Armand and Julia Brinkhaus and his maternal grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. James Prejean (Maude).

Pallbearers will be Chris, Brandon and Sean Brinkhaus, Brandon McIver, Bill Brinkhaus, and Jaxson McCurtain.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks for the wonderful care he received through Lamm Hospice, the staff at Mary Byrd Perkins Cancer Center, Dr. David Ware, Kolt Nezat, Amy Benoit, and Dr. David Hanson, as well as the love and support of our family and circle of friends. In ending this sad farewell, the grandkids would like to express one last thought. We have a hero…we call him Paw Paw.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.