Cover photo for Harold Dean James "Jimmy" Saylor's Obituary
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1968 Jimmy 2025

Harold Dean James "Jimmy" Saylor

April 29, 1968 — February 12, 2025

Biloxi

Harold Dean James "Jimmy" Saylor, 56, of Ocean Springs, MS, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

Jimmy was born on April 29, 1968 to Harold Dean James "Joe" Saylor and Doris Mae Saylor. He was a 1986 graduate of Ocean Springs High School. After high school, Jimmy joined the United States Air Force Reserve and attended college at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Jimmy grew up playing numerous sports. His favorites were football, tennis, and baseball. Jimmy was a life-long Catholic and took comfort in listening to sermons, reciting the Serenity Prayer, and reading his Bible. Jimmy was only 20 years old when he survived a major life altering car accident. He spent several months in a coma and was not expected to live. But God had other plans. Jimmy did come out of that coma! With the help and encouragement of his family, friends, and especially his dad, Jimmy worked relentlessly to walk, talk, and gain back some of his independence. Despite the hardships that he faced, Jimmy kept a positive attitude and always gave thanks to God for his life. A very special day for Jimmy and his family was when he beat the odds and walked down the aisle at St. Alphonsus to take communion. Although Jimmy had short term memory loss, he could remember things from his past, including how to speak Spanish. He loved to stump his family by speaking to them with his foreign tongue. Jimmy was a jokester. He liked making people laugh and kept a smile on his face. His resilience was unmatched. Jimmy loved music. In his younger days he was a big fan of Rush and Guns and Roses. His family has no doubt that he is now rejoicing in the true Paradise City. To know Jimmy was to love him, and he will be greatly missed!

Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents, Joe Saylor and Doris Saylor; and his sisters in law, Beverly Saylor and Jeanette Saylor.

He is survived by his siblings, Joseph "Joey" Saylor, John "Johnny" Saylor (Missy), Faith Szumigala (Chuck); nieces and nephews, Anna Saylor Kahlmus, Hali Saylor, Ethan Saylor, Jack Bozman, Mack Bozman, Zack Bozman, David Szumigala, Lauren Melendez, Andrew "Andy" Szumigala, and many great nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be on Thursday, February 20, 2025, from 10 am until 11 am, followed by an 11 am Mass of Christian Burial, all at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs, MS. Burial will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park, also in Ocean Springs

The family would like to thank the staff and care givers at Golden Oak, assisted living facility in St. Martin, the staff and care givers at Merit Hospital in Biloxi, and Arden Hospice.

Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Jimmy Saylor.  

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Harold Dean James "Jimmy" Saylor, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Today's Services

Visitation

Thursday, February 20, 2025

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Ocean Springs

502 Jackson Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Ocean Springs

502 Jackson Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Interment

Thursday, February 20, 2025

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