James Marion "Jimmy" Deen

James Marion “Jimmy” Deen, age 85, of Gulfport, passed away Thursday, February 16, 2023, in Gulfport.

Mr. Deen was born November 1, 1937, in Gulfport. He was a 1954 graduate of Gulfport High School. He completed the apprenticeship program and was a longtime member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 903 in Gulfport. Mr. Deen was a member of Campground Baptist Church. Over the years, Mr. Deen and his wife, the late Joyce Deen, opened their home to countless foster children, which provided them with an unending amount of love, chaos, and shenanigans. His guidance, patience and support was instrumental in the lives of countless youth. Mr. Deen enjoyed woodworking, visiting flea markets and estate sales, and refurbishing antique clocks. He was a very gifted piano player who couldn’t read music but could play anything by ear.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce Deen; his son, James Russell “Rusty” Deen; his sister, Sammie Herring; and infant twin sons.

Survivors include his wife of 16 years, Brenda Plaice Deen, Gulfport; his children, Rhonda (Jack) Glenn of DeFuniak Springs, FL, Randy (Kelly) Deen of Port Huron, MI, Lori Crowe Deen (Greg Nations) of Long Beach, LouAnn (Bubba) Cox of Brandon, Mike (Vickie) Rau of Long Beach, Pam Church of Pass Christian, Frankie Plaice of Atlanta, and Terry (Holly) Plaice of Zirconia, NC; 5 grandchildren, Amanda (Dan) Pettis of Niceville, FL, Jesse Deen and Raymon Deen of Port Huron, Jared Deen and Jacob Deen of Long Beach; 6 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 10 am, Monday, February 20, 2023, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, and the funeral services will start at 11 am after the visitation. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Gulfport.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929.