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Thousands turned out in Port Arthur, Texas today (Dec. 13) to pay their respects to the late Chad Butler AKA Pimp C.

According to PANews.com, thousands of fans and peers packed the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center to pay their final respects to Pimp C. Crowds began gathering as early as 5 a.m.

“My fiancé Lamant Johnson was in jail with C. and they were friends,” mourner Meyoshia Smith said. “He’s hurt that he can’t be here at the funeral, they were close friends. He (Butler) sent him $200 on his books.”

The doors to the center were opened at 10 a.m. with the funeral beginning after 11 a.m. and ending at 1pm.

Various police departments and FBI were on hand to ensure public safety.

“Public safety is the number one reason we’re here,” Blitch said. “We want to make sure everything goes orderly. We have a mixture of crowd with kids and older adults. This is a show of respect for a man who has passed away.”

Reports suggest that police were checking people's fashion attire making sure they were properly dressed for the funeral. There are reports of several women being turned away.

Following the funeral, a private burial was held at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

The Houston Chronicle Handstamp blog reports that several artists and music industry executives made comments outside of the center following the funeral service.

TRAE:

"He was my brother ... one of my true friends, one of my homeboys. It's only right for me to be here today. He supported me at a time I really was in need, and I'm going to be here for him and his family."

RAP-A-LOT CEO JAMES PRINCE:

"It's a stunning experience. But I love the message. I think the pastor summed it up well. He said, 'It's hard out here for a pimp. But there's hope in Christ."

CHAMILLIONAIRE:

"Pimp helped lay the foundation for southern music. Without him, we wouldn't be where we are. Pimp was the Tupac of the South. Everybody's that's rapping today is imitating Pimp."