Thomas James Fulton

It is with heavy hearts and sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Thomas James Fulton. Thomas died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 7, 2023. Tom was 88 years old.  He was born and raised in the coal mining town of Hazelton, Pennsylvania along with his 5 brothers. Tom enlisted in the Air Force at age 18 and served over 20 years as a Morse Code specialist and Recruiter for the Air Force. He served his country throughout the U.S. and Japan.  After retiring as an Instructor at Keesler AFB, he worked at Sears for another 22 years serving the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community.  Tom was an avid golfer and fisherman.  He also enjoyed many years coaching his grandchildren and local youth in football, baseball, and soccer, but his primary passion centered on his marriage to Mary Claire; his Irish Angel of 63 years, and his family. He treasured spending time with his family and embraced every moment with them. His laughter was contagious and he brought smiles to all he met. He took life to its fullest, loved his dogs, gardening and cooking great meals for the family.  He was a long-time contributor to Saint Jude, and devoted Catholic and Usher for Nativity B.V.M Cathedral.

Thomas was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Claire; mother, Helen (Hress) Fulton; father, John Fulton; and brothers, James and John. He is survived by his brothers, Robert, Cyril, and Eugene; son, Gary Fulton and wife Lorena, and Lorena’s mom Maria; daughter, Tamara McDonnell and husband Tom; daughter, Janice Zimmer and husband Mark; his grandchildren, Natasha Walczak and husband Przemek, Shatara Fulton and husband Martin Hubold, Troy Fulton, Trent Fulton, Taylor McDonnell, Derek Zimmer and wife Jessica,Torie Cassidy and husband John Cassidy; and great-grandchildren, Braelyn Grace Zimmer and Halle Claire Zimmer, Luca and Louis Walczak, and Sebastian, Benjamin, and Philip Hubold.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Thomas’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Nativity BVM Cathedral, 870 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530, on Friday, March 10th, 2023 at 11:00 am. Friends may visit starting at 10:00 a.m. and are welcome to join in Mass. Interment will be held on Monday, March 13th at Biloxi National Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. with military honors.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Thomas Fulton.