Thomas Andrew Givens

Being a child of the 80s, this guy really knew how to party! With his compassionate heart and funny (dry!) wit, Thomas made friends wherever he went. Being the only boy with three sisters (Rochelle “Shelley” Boudreaux, Sharon Rigsby, Amanda Ickes) he also had some serious style. He was very proud of his shoe collection and much more stylish than all his sisters. As a child he loved to be outdoors and riding bikes. His parents Walter Givens and Connie Barrett encouraged his love of BMX bike racing, where he competed Nationally and made life-long friends. BMX bikes turned into racing cars (thanks Fast & Furious movies) which turned into motorcycles. If it was fast – he was game! It didn’t have to be in real life fun either, he was in top ranked teams on Halo and other first person shooter games. Each one of these hobbies he enjoyed so much, but the friends he made along the way were priceless.

 

A tragedy hit Thomas at the age of 20 that changed his life forever. He was hit by a drunk driver while on his motorcycle and left for dead. If you did not believe in miracles then, you did after that night. Months of surgeries, near death episodes, rehab, prosthetics for his lost leg, he was finally able to walk again. The hospital was always filled with family and friends supporting him every step of the way. Thomas was never really the same after this. He was left with many scars, life-long injuries, and internal battles. He overcame tremendous odds, but some things you cannot come back from.

 

Marrying the love of his life Britni Nezat Givens was one of his bestest days. He married his best friend and gained even more supporting family with the Nezat’s. Life together with Britni was quite the adventure and never a dull moment. And now for the best part – Tenley! Tenley Givens was Thomas’ pride and joy. He wanted to be a dad so much (he already had the #1 Uncle Award) and when Tenley was born, he was changed forever. He loved her with every fiber of his being. He treasured his Tenley time. Great, fun, times filled with laughter and silliness. No one could make him smile the way she could! He could not have been a prouder dad. Leaving her behind is the one thing he wished he did not have to do. God had other plans for Thomas though, and he left this world on June 28, 2021, at his home in Baton Rouge.

 

Family and friends were very important to Thomas. He touched everyone’s lives in a positive way. He was loved, he loved others, and he will be dearly missed. Isn’t that what we all aspire for? Let his life message be to make friends, have fun, love your family, and don’t take any of it for granted.

 

Thomas’ Life Celebration

July 5, 2021 @ 11am

Milldale Baptist Church, Zachary, La

(We will be sending him out with a BANG, so feel free to bring some sparklers!)

 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in tribute of Thomas to the Limbs for Life Foundation. This organization stands in the gap for those that need prosthetics and can’t afford them. You can do so at the following link:

https://www.ilof.com/st-amant/thomas-andrew-givens