Force Master Chief James D. Fairbanks

Force Master Chief James D. "Jimmy" Fairbanks, age 59 of Gulfport, died Wednesday, May 25, 2011 in Mobile, Al. A member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, he was the son of Thomas and Marie Fairbanks and was born and raised on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in November 1970. After completing basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Calif., he received orders to Second Battalion Eleventh Marines (2/11), Camp Pendleton, Calif. Corporal Fairbanks was honorably discharged in September 1972. As a civilian, Master Chief Fairbanks was employed with American Iron and Supply Company as a welder and Union Steward until December 1976. He returned to active duty in the U.S. Navy in January 1977, and was assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalion Two, Little Creek, Va. After completing a two-year tour, he was honorably discharged January 1979. He then returned to work for American Iron and Supply Company in Minneapolis, Minn. until August 1986. CMDCM Fairbanks re-enlisted in the U.S. Navy September 1986 and was assigned to NMCB ONE, Gulfport, Miss., until February 1990. He received orders to the Naval Construction Training Center, Gulfport Miss. His next duty station was Public Works Department, Keflavik, Iceland. Upon completion of a 30-month tour, he transferred to NMCB 133, where he served until January 1999. He then reported to the Naval Construction Training Center in March 1999, and served as the Command Master Chief until May 2001. He reported to NMCB-1 May 2001 and served with the "First and the Finest" until December 2002 and then transferred to the 22ND Naval Construction Regiment. After completing a three year tour, he was selected as the Force Master Chief for the Seabees and served with NAVFACENGCOM in Washington D.C. Master Chief Fairbanks is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 85, Green Group. He has earned an Associate of Arts degree from the University of Phoenix, Ariz. Master Chief Fairbanks is designated a Seabee Combat Warfare and Master Training Specialist. His awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), and various service and unit awards. He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Marie Fairbanks; brothers, Robert Fairbanks, Virgil Fairbanks, Gordon Henry, and Joseph Fairbanks; and sisters, Verna Jorgenson and Angie Ross. Master Chief Fairbanks is survived by his wife, Denise Avdoyan Fairbanks, children, Tommy and Debbie Spiers of Gulfport, James and Jobeth Avdoyan of Jackson, MS, Homer and Michele Walden of Las Vegas, NV, five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, siblings, Pamela Fairbanks, Timothy Fairbanks, Tom Fairbanks, Margaret Eischens, Vicki Sternberg, Paulette Molin, Charles Fairbanks, Karen Fairbanks, Rena Vizenor, William Henry, Joyce Yellowhammer, Betty Chevalier and Joann Peters. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Navy Marine Corp Relief Society, Bldg 30 Suite 103, 5301 Snead Street, Gulfport, MS 39501-9018. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at 1:00 PM. Friends may visit from 10:00 AM until service time at BRADFORD-O'KEEFE FUNERAL HOME, 15th St., Gulfport. Full Military Honors will be held at Biloxi National Cemetery.