Hattiesburg, MS
Funeral Home
Moore Funeral Service
Visitation
Service
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 March 10, 2026, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 John E. Bourne III, age 71, Hattiesburg, MS who had served in the 3656th Maintenance Company, 114th Area Support Group and the 184th Sustainment Command has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord. John had worked fulltime with the Shelby CSMS.
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:
John E. Bourne III, CW4, MS National Guard (Ret.), 71, of Hattiesburg, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Moore Hattiesburg Chapel with interment to follow in Dixie Community Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 1 p.m.
Mr. Bourne was born on September 29, 1954 in Columbia, Mississippi to John E. Bourne, Jr. and Joyce Culpepper Bourne. He proudly served his country in the United States Army for four years before continuing his service with the Mississippi Army National Guard, where he served for more than 38 years until his retirement in October of 2013. During his distinguished career, he completed a tour in Afghanistan in 2008. He was deeply proud of his military service and the many years he dedicated to serving his country and state.
On May 26, 1984, he married the love of his life, B.J., and together they built a life centered around family, friendship, and service.
He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. Mr. Bourne was also a lifetime member of the VFW and Elks Lodge 599. In his free time, he enjoyed saltwater fishing and loved spending time on the water. He also took great pride in working in his yard. Above all, he cherished the time he spent with his friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his son, John Robert Bourne; his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bob and Nancy Pollot; his brothers, Ricky Bourne, Billy Don Bourne, and Jack Bourne; and several military friends that he cared for deeply.
He is survived by his loving wife, B.J. Bourne of Hattiesburg; his son, Casey Joe Bourne (LaGail) of Gulfport; his niece, Savannah Rodriguez (Jesse) of Jayess; his nephew, Zachary Bourne of Sumrall; his cousin, Sue Miller of Hattiesburg; his sister-in-law, Nancy Boser (Bill) of Penn Yan, NY; his brother-in-law, Bob Pollot (Gina) of Rochester, NY; his friend, Carolyn Domec of Hattiesburg; and several nieces and nephews.