Wiggins, MS
Funeral Home
Moore Funeral Home
Visitation
Thursday, 10-11 am, Jan 1, 2026. Wiggins First Baptist Church, 219 2nd St N, Wiggins, MS
Service
11 am. Thursday, Jan 1, 2026. Wiggins First Baptist Church
Obituary
Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and 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 December 27, 2025, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 James Howard Easterling Jr,, age 93, Wiggins, MS, who had served in the TARS/AVCRD and HQ STARC has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord. Easterling had worked fulltime both at the Gulfport TARS/AVCRAD and the Shelby USPFO. Easterling had served as the Supply Officer for the initially formed TARS aviation shop in Gulfport in the 1970’s timeframe.
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, sacrifices, 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 Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.
Obituary, Visitation, and Service Details:
James Howard Easterling Jr, 93, of Wiggins, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Biloxi VA in Biloxi. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Wiggins with interment to follow in Wiggins City Cemetery.
Mr. Howard was a member of First Baptist Church of Wiggins, and was a veteran of the United States Army National Guard, and worked for Civil Service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Howard Easterling Sr. and Bertha Easterling; daughter, Pam Bates; and sister, Lillian Butler.
He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Easterling; son, Clark Easterling (Myra) of Wiggins; son-in-law, Ricky Bates (Nellie) of Wiggins; three grandchildren, April Kostmayer (Kevin), Ashley Jefferson (Ryan), and Devin Allen (Zach); six great-grandchildren, Maddie Kostmayer, Jackson Kostmayer, Allie Jefferson, Sadie Jefferson, Lizzie Allen, and Easton Allen; and one brother, Jack Easterling of Wiggins.
Officiating the service will be Dr. Neil Tullos and Bro. David Perry. Serving as pallbearers are: Ricky Bates, Zach Allen, Ryan Jefferson, Kevin Kostmayer, Jackson Kostmayer, and Chett Harrison. Serving as an honorary pallbearer is Larry Bond.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Wiggins on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
The service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Wiggins on Thursday, January 1, 2026.