Roy Joseph Ainsworth, Sr.

Mr. Roy Joseph Ainsworth, Sr, 58 years old, died Saturday, November 18, 2006 in Gulfport. Mr. Ainsworth was a native and lifelong resident of the Mississippi Coast. Roy served in the 1st Battalion 9th Marines in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. He received the National Defense service Medal, the Vietnam National Service Medal, three Purple Heart Medals, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Roy attended Biloxi High School and MS Gulf Coast Community college where he received a degree in Respiratory Therapy. Prior to becoming a Respiratory Therapist Roy was an EMT volunteer with the Rescue II Unit and the Vancleave Volunteer Fire Department. He also was a CPR Instructor and was a dedicated Home Room Parent and substitute teacher for Vancleave Elementary School. After working at numerous medical facilities and home health agencies Roy retired from Gulf Coast Medical Center Respiratory Department in 1996. He then became a full time grandfather and devoted most of his time entertaining his granddaughter Ashlyn. He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Mr. Ainsworth was preceded in death by his father, Lowell D. Ainsworth; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy C. Ainsworth and Mr. and Mrs Tom Quave; father-in-law, George "Scrap" W. Mallette; and brother-in-law, George Errol Mallette. Mr. Ainsworth is survived by his wife of 35 years, Marlene Mallette Ainsworth; daughter and son-in-law, Jenna and Wade Fitts; son, Roy "Joey" Joseph Ainsworth, Jr.; mother, Ruby Quave Ainsworth; brother and sister-in-law, Tommy and Joni Ainsworth; sister, Cathy Ainsworth Powell; granddaughter, Ashlyn Victoria Fletcher; Uncle and Aunt Billy Ray and Dot Quave; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, brothers of the 1st Battalion 9th Marines-The Walking Dead. Visitation will be Monday, November 20, 2006 from 6:00 til 9:00 pm at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes. Funeral services will be Tuesday, November 21 at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church at noon where friends may visit one hour prior to service time. Burial to follow in Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery.