Biloxi, MS
Funeral Home
Visitation
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 10-11 am.
Service
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 11 am.
Obituary
Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero who Served in 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 memorializing 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 July 24, 2026 and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Ray V. Pisarich, Jr., age 90, Biloxi, MS, who served in the 138th S&S Battalion and 114th Area Support Group has departed and gone to a better place with our Lord and Savior.
It takes a special person to serve in the military for their country, sacrificing time with family time, comfort, and safety to ensure all Americans can enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.
A special message from General Douglas MacArthur remains relevant today for our servicemen who have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away.” Rest in peace, soldier. We honor your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family’s 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 brightly, and live so freely.
You have now earned your rest, so go fly with the angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is complete. 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:
Ray V. Pisarich, Jr passed away at the Biloxi VA surrounded by his wife and children, July 24, 2026. He was 90 years old.
He was the son of the late Ray Vincent and Eunice Blanchard Pisarich. He was a life-long resident of Biloxi, MS, where he graduated from Notre Dame High School. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi in 1957, he was retired LTC of the United States Army and Mississippi National Guard.
He was proud of his Yogoslav and Acadian heritage and giving back to his community and church whether it be through Our Lady of Fatima Church, the Jaycees, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks or the Slavonian Lodge, where he loved talking with people and enjoying life. He was a simple man and always wanted to share a story or two.
Surviving is his wife, Elmerita Mihojevich Pisarich; his children, Mary Jo Skelton (Mike), Tommy Pisarich (Caroline), Joey Pisarich, Raechele Pisarich, and Katie Paske (Chris); and his four grandchildren, Mackenzie Skelton, Wade Pisarich (Fiancée, Ally), Chloe Paske and Claire Paske.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Charlotte Ann Pisarich and his sister, Carmelite Pisarich Payne.
Special thanks to the staff of the Biloxi VA hospital for their excellent care and compassion.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 11am. Visitation will be at the church from 10-11am. Graveside service will be at Biloxi National Cemetery at 12:30pm. Celebration of Life will follow at Our Lady of Fatima Parrish Hall.
The family asks that donations be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital in lieu of flowers.
Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ray V. Pisarich.