James L. Dewey

James ""Jimmy"" Loren Dewey, tattooed Marine (before it was fashionable), Trivial Pursuit expert, dominoes devil, loving father, husband, Paw Paw, and friend to everyone he met, passed away Friday, May 23, 2014 at the age of 67.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his father, Lindon L. Dewey, mother Lorraine Lizana Vispi, and a brother, Billy Dewey. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Carol Trippe Dewey. Jimmy also leaves behind three brothers, Ronnie (Cheryl) Dewey of Gulfport, MS; George (Sue) Dewey and Bobby Dewey, both of Dallas, TX. Jimmy also leaves behind some caring young women in his life, namely two daughters; Tiffany Baker (Joel Folk) of Jacksonville, FL and their daughters Allison and Kaitlyn Baker, and Kim Kelso (Brett) Berger of Gulfport, MS and their daughters Samantha Stetson and Lilly Berger. Jimmy also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom love him dearly, and most of whom even tolerated his jokes and ribbing of them or their ""significant others"" over the years.
Rarely accused of being a golfer, Jimmy spent many years as a volunteer for the Spiders Charity Golf Classic, an organization that gives directly to needy individuals along the MS Gulf Coast and Jimmy was an integral component to its early years of growth and success.
Jimmy was a medic in the US Army Reserves and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served combat duty in Vietnam. Jimmy would not boast of his accomplishments on the battlefield but in 1968 he was awarded multiple commendations: the Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Medal Color w/ Palm). His family is most proud and gracious for Jimmy's service in the Marines at a time when many felt it was ""trendy"" or ""cool"" to mock our service members.
Jimmy served as a member of the security team at the Veteran's Administration Hospitals in Gulfport and Biloxi, MS for over thirty years, again demonstrating his commitment to our service members. He also volunteered for over forty years with local credit unions along the MS Gulf Coast. He served as treasurer of the Gulf Coast Community Federal Credit Union for many years and in 2014 he was inducted into the Mississippi Credit Union Hall of Fame.
In his retirement years Jimmy was mostly interested in all things electronic and entertainment. In fact, he often kept far more electronics in the home than his wife preferred. Visitors to Jimmy's home could often hear the surround sound upon exiting their vehicles to walk toward the front door of his Pine Avenue home. The Roger Ebert of his circle, Jimmy was a major movie buff. He viewed more films than many professional critics and did it for the love of film, not fame.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Gulfport chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, 2600 23rd Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501. As a member of the neglected generation of Vietnam War veterans, Jimmy always respected every American veteran he met and would want your condolences to help those in our local community.
Visitation will be from 6 - 8 pm on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd., Gulfport. A prayer service will be held at 10 am Wednesday in the funeral home chapel. Interment will be in Biloxi National Cemetery.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com