David Thibodaux

David Thibodaux, Pastor Dave, went to his eternal home on September 21, 2024.

David had a passion and a love for CMA. He and his wife Kathy joined CMA in (______). In New Mexico they served with Son Crest Riders in Albuquerque until 2008 when God stirred their hearts to form a new chapter in Rio Rancho, NM. Within just 3 months, Chapter 1022, The Ambassador Riders was chartered at the New Mexico state rally in Ruidoso, NM with 13 charter members.

As a pastor, David served as the chapter chaplain and even after he was unable, he maintained spiritual mentorship via the chapters Facebook page. If one thought David was passionate about CMA they would come to realize that he was even more so about Jesus.

David loved to ride motorcycles. His enthusiasm was contagious and made outings enjoyable. His sense of humor and camaraderie made everyone who met him feel welcomed and included. He was always one to take a joke. He was teased at one point that our rides always took longer because we had to go back and pick up parts his Indian had lost along the way. But most of all David looked for Jesus and the opportunity to witness of the love of Christ in every situation.

David once wrote:

“Some day you will hear that David Thibodaux is dead.

Don’t you believe a word of it!  At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. I shall have gone up higher, that is all; gone out of this old world into a house that is immortal, a body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint, a body like unto His own glorious body. I was born of the flesh in 1952. I was born of the Spirit in 1982.

That which is born of the flesh may die. That which is born of the Spirit will live forever.”

David will be missed but his legacy lives on in CMA and the Ambassador Riders. We rejoice in the knowledge that he is with our Savior where there is no more pain, no more tears, no sorrow. David is now dancing around the throne like King David danced. And surely as the story goes, David came skidding to a stop at the pearly gates astride his motorcycle. And from out of the dust David appeared, disheveled and dusty, and completely spent from the journey. As he removed his helmet and goggles, he let out a loud whoop and said “Wow! What a ride!”

And then he heard, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

- Sean Burkland