James "Jim" Tannery Harper

James "Jim" Tannery Harper of Gautier passed away on April 2nd, 2023 at the age of 79. He was born on August 11, 1943 in Greenville, South Carolina.

Jim left a proud legacy of sharing with his community. He grew up in rural South Carolina and left to serve his country in the United States Navy in 1960. During his time in the military he served on swift boats in the Vietnam war. He fought bravely for his country, and protected the lives of so many who served with him. The Navy put Jim's talents as a mechanic to use all over the world, from sunny Hawaii to the frigid northern reaches of Iceland.

Following his service, Jim applied his talents to a variety of industrial jobs, again traveling around the world as a diesel mechanic everywhere from the mountains of Iran to the beaches of the Bahamas. He eventually settled in Gautier, Mississippi working for Ingalls Shipbuilding. Continuing to serve his community, he volunteered as a firefighter. He passed on his skills to the next generation, teaching vocational courses at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He settled down and started a family in this small Mississippi town, marrying Cindy Shorey in 1983, starting a local business (Gautier Tire Service, eventually Gautier Towing), and raising two children.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Joyce Tannery Harper and James Albert Harper, as well as his sister, Patricia Harper.

He is survived by his wife, Cindy Shorey Harper; his sisters Mary Cobb and Carol Kline; his two sons, Christopher and Sterling; eight nephews and nieces; numerous great nephews and nieces; and one great great nephew.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 12, 2023, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, at O'Bryant - O'Keefe Funeral Home Gautier. Internment will be Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 10:00am at Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors. 

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