Huey Gaines

Huey Jackson Gaines, 86, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Huey was born March 11, 1935 in Clarksburg, West Virginia. He was the son of the late Andrew Jackson Gaines, Sr. and Eva Goldie Kellard. His brothers include Henry H., James R., Andrew J., Richard, and David E. Gaines.

Huey graduated from Roosevelt Wilson High School in West Virginia. After graduating from high school in 1954, Huey enlisted in the Marines. He served three tours of duty in the Vietnam War during which he earned 6 Good Conduct Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, 4 Vietnam Service Medals, a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, a Combat Action Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, and a Presidential Unit Citation.

Huey retired as a Master Sergeant from the Marines in 1984. He was the proud owner of Yesterday’s for five years in North Carolina. After retirement, he moved to Mississippi where he volunteered at Keesler Air Force Base in the pharmacy and transport departments for six and a half years. He served as chaplain for the VFW until he retired in 2020. He was a lifetime member of the VFW #2539 and Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 25. Huey was a parishioner of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Gulfport. His hobbies included gardening, fishing, and watching football and baseball.

Huey was preceded in death by his late wife, Connie Gaines. Survivors include his wife, Ina M. Riley of Gulfport, Mississippi; step children Claudia Smith Bourgeois (Harold) and David M. Riley, Jr. (Samantha); step grandchildren Harold J. Bourgeois III (Alisa), Jayden A Riley, Jaxon D. Riley and Misty J. Ryan (Patrick); and a step great grandchild Sebastian E. Ryan. He also leaves behind dear friends Wayne & Michelle Dupre, Mary Duncan, Bob Childeres, Dan & Angie Haynes, and his beloved dog, Precious.

A visitation will be on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, from 11:30 am - 12 pm at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Rd., Biloxi.  A procession will leave the funeral home at 12:10 pm for a 12:30 pm graveside service at Biloxi National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Ann's Catholic Church, 23529 Hwy 53, Gulfport, MS 39503, the DAV at www.dav.org, or St. Joseph's Indian School at www.stjo.org/dreams.