James Currie, Jr.

James Leonard Currie, Jr., a Gulfport native and Biloxi resident for 37 years, passed away at home in Gulfport on Wednesday, Aug.11, 2021. Jim was born Sept. 4, 1945, a descendant of a pioneer Gulfport family. A 1963 graduate of Gulfport High School, he attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Troy University, and graduated William Carey University.

Retired from Mississippi Power Company, Jim belonged to Handsboro Baptist Church, where he taught adult Sunday school. He belonged to the Antique Auto and Engine Club of Mississippi, the Muscle Car & Street Machine Club of Mississippi, and the Mississippi Coast Mustang Club. A former member of the Exchange Club of Gulfport, Jim had been honored as "Exchangite of the Year." He loved the LSU Tigers, New Orleans Saints and Houston Astros.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Leonard Currie, Sr., and Alma Ruth (Thomas) Currie; sisters Barbara Eileen Currie, Betty (Currie) Dykeman (Albert) and Jeanette (Currie) Terherst (Annis); and grandson Vincent James Alexander. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Mary Aline (Gill) Currie; son James L. Currie III of Saraland, Ala., and daughter Karen Christie Alexander (Thomas) of Oahu, Hawaii; grandchildren James Holden Quinn Currie of Saraland and Camella Reneé Alexander of Oahu; nieces Brenda Neilsen, Debbie Jury and Gina Dykeman; and his schnauzer “baby,” Tootsie Belle.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Handsboro Baptist Church, Saturday, Aug. 21, at 1 p.m., with visitation two hours prior, followed by interment in Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Children’s and Youth Departments of Handsboro Baptist Church, 1421 E. Pass Road, Gulfport, MS 39507.