John Hanson Miner

John Hanson Kennard Miner, PE/MBA, husband, father, World War II veteran, sailor, shipbuilder, and shopkeeper, with loved ones by his side, sailed off into the sunset from his beloved home in Ocean Springs, Mississippi on Saturday February 18, 2017. John was born in Connecticut on June 28, 1925. He grew up in Arlington, VA and went to Western High School in Washington DC where, in 7th grade, he met his future wife, Maryalice Fairbank. He attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. On June 5, 1946, John graduated from the Coast Guard Academy, married his long-time sweetheart, Maryalice, and received his orders to report to duty in the Western Pacific. In 1949, he left the service for employment at Newport News Shipbuilding. In 1952, John and Maryalice moved to Pascagoula, MS where John went to work at Ingalls Shipbuilding. After passing the famous Admiral Hyman Rickover interview for nuclear shipbuilding executives, John served many years as Assistant Manager of Ingalls Nuclear Power Division and Director of Nuclear New Construction. John also managed the redesign the Aegis CG-47 Class Cruisers for vertical launching of Tomahawk cruise missiles. In 1986, John retired from a productive and successful 37-year career in shipbuilding. In January of 1987, John and Maryalice opened Miner’s Doll and Toy Store in downtown Ocean Springs, now in its 30th year of operation. John served as the South Mississippi Olympic Fund chairman for the 1968 (Mexico City) and 1972 (Munich) Olympics. In 1972, John built the first competitive swimming pool in that state of Mississippi to be certified by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) for National Jr. Olympic Record Meets. Originally named Marmin Aquatics Center, this same pool was recently re-dedicated as the Maryalice and John Miner Natatorium at the Blossman Family YMCA in Ocean Springs. John helped organize AAU competitive swimming in Mississippi and served as president of the Southern AAU. John was an Eagle Scout, a scoutmaster, and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for his lifetime service to the Boy Scouts of America. He was a 50-year member of United States Power Squadron, serving as Commander of the four-state Gulf Coast District 15 as a Senior Navigator. He served as the East Gulf Coast Chairman of the Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers, was a member of the American Society of Naval Engineers, the Propeller Club of New Orleans and The Navy League of Pascagoula. In 2015, John and Maryalice were recipients of the John R. Blossman Humanitarian Award for lifetime service. Among John’s many passions: His wife was always first in all of his thoughts and deeds - the ultimate partners in life. He was the biggest cheerleader for all of his children and their families. He built ships, houses, swimming pools, boats, theater sets, and a renowned toy store. Engineering was a passion and he always had multiple projects in progress. He built character in the young people he worked with in Boy Scouts, amateur swimming, little theater, and boating. John went to work every day with an enthusiastic smile and a hardy hello for all he encountered. He loved family gatherings, holidays, and any opportunity to put on a traditional costume for the season. Customers of Miner’s Toy Store will always remember Mr. Miner in his Uncle Sam outfit or Christmas blazer. He was an eternal optimist and determined to overcome any obstacle. After Katrina destroyed the home he built, he rebuilt a stronger one on Biloxi Bay where he and the love of his life could enjoy the sunsets from their back porch. John is survived by his wife of 71 years, Maryalice Fairbank Miner. He is preceded in death by his Father, Ellsworth Frost Miner and mother Mary Kennard Miner. He is also preceded in death by his brother Richard Yale Miner, and sisters Elisabeth Miner Thomson, Helen Miner Moores, and Harriet Griggs Miner. He was a loving father to David C. Miner (Barbara) of Metarie, Dr. Steven K. Miner (Debbie) of Ocean Springs, John H.F. Miner (Geri) of Portland, OR, and Merileigh Miner Furr (Theron) of Ocean Springs; Grandfather to Dr. Michael Miner (Nikki) of New Orleans, Robert Miner (Jamie) and Elizabeth St. John (Robert Glen) both of Metairie, Melissa Miner of Savannah, GA, Cpt. Stephanie Miner, John H. S. Miner, and Alice Furr all of Ocean Springs, and Richard Furr of Boulder, CO; Great grandfather to Juniper Miner, Isabel and Robert Clay St. John, Jonah Bohannon, and Loretta Miner. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 23 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ocean Springs. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 am. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m. immediately followed by a reception in the parish hall. Flowers may be sent to St. John’s Episcopal Church, or in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to John’s favorite charities, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Boy Scouts of America, and the Blossman Family YMCA. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.