Fallen Hero: Lt. Col James Abner “Jim” Head, Jr. (Ret)

Gulfport


Funeral Home

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home

15th Street Gulfport, MS

Visitation

10-11 a.m., Friday, June 23, 2023, Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport

Service

11 a.m., Friday, June 23, 2023, Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport


Obituary

Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard.  “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.

Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on June 13, 2023, and has moved on to his heavenly home.  Lt. Col James Abner “Jim” Head, Jr. (Ret), age 86, who had served as a member of the MS Air National Guard  Gulfport CRTC, has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Another great Airman has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Airman for Life”.

Obituary details:

James Abner “Jim” Head, Jr., age 86, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2023 at his home in Gulfport.

Jim was born in Gulfport, MS on March 12, 1937. He was the first born of three wonderful children of parents, James A. Head, Sr. and Helen V. Head, also of Gulfport. Jim Married his beautiful wife, Janie L. Head, of TN on August 8, 1965. They were married 46 years until Janie lost her battle with cancer in 2011.

Jim was a 1956 graduate of Gulfport High School. He went on to receive multiple degrees in sciences from Mississippi College in Jackson and The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Jim Retired from the United States Air Force as a Lt. Colonel and also from the Mississippi Air National Guard. His career also included Executive Director of Gulf Regional Planning Commission for over 20 years. Jim was instrumental in the planning and development of the infrastructure and transportation along the gulf coast. He then went on to head the Gulfport Housing Authority. Jim as a realtor and broker for over 40 years with Gulf Coast Association of Realtors. He was also a licensed appraiser foe many years.

Jim was a member of the Rotary Club, the Optimist Club, and many more organizations here on the coast. He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Gulfport. He loved everything the coast had to offer, especially fishing and boating. His greatest love was spending time with his children Jim and Elizabeth and his huge family.

Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife, Janie L. Head; parents, James A. Head, Sr. and Helen V. Head; sister, Sara “Penny” Head Cobb; and brother-in-law, Charles McReynolds; and many more.

A longtime resident of the coast, Jim is survived by his two children, Elizabeth Anne Head and James A. Head III; sister, Betty Head McReynolds and family; brother-in-law, David L. Cobb and family; and many nephews and nieces he loved and adored.

Jim was loved more than words can express and will be missed so very much.

A funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023 at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport. Friends may visit one-hour prior to service. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with U.S. Air Force Honors. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Head family.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Abner “Jim” Head, Jr., please visit our flower store