James "Jimmy" Yancey Christmas, III

James "Jimmy" Yancey Christmas, III was born in 1944, in Fernandina, Florida to J.Y. Jr. and Elva Downing Christmas. He passed on Friday, May 21, 2010 after a brief illness. He was a longtime resident of Ocean Springs and a graduate of Ocean Springs High School in 1962. He graduated from Milsaps College in 1966. Jimmy served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a longtime employee of GCRL (Gulf Coast Research Lab) where he was the backbone of the "Stripe Bass Program" for over thirty years. He was an avid bird watcher and fly fisherman. He enjoyed and was very knowledgeable of the flora and fauna of the MS Gulf Coast. He is survived by his wife, Leslie Bunce Christmas; son, Zachary; daughter, Jessica; brother, Rick (Nancy) and sister, Merrie (Gene) Kidd. A gathering of family and close friends will be held at 132 Pine Drive in Ocean Springs on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 beginning at 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree in Jimmy's memory and become actively involved in the "Tag and Release" program at the Gulf Coast Research Lab. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.