James Abner "Jim" Head, Jr.

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 was a well-known 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, 15^th 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.