Jesse Wayne James Truax

Jesse Wayne James Truax passed away peacefully on January 5, 2025, at his home in Foxworth Mississippi. Jesse was born on July 15, 1949, at Gulfport Memorial Hospital and raised in Gulfport, Mississippi.  

Jesse attended St Thomas Catholic School, Long Beach, MS, Notre Dame School, Biloxi, MS, Holy Cross High School in New Orleans, LA, LSU in Baton Rouge and graduated from Troy State University, Troy, AL.  Jesse was an outstanding athlete and sought after at a young age for his ability and agility on and off the field. In 1963 The Times Picayune noted, "Jesse an eighth grader who started out as end was converted to passer, where he starred while playing on the Varsity of Notre Dame as his team won the Catholic District Contest." His stats were numerous for the day (He always remembered this game and said it was just like yesterday). Jesse continued his football career with Coach John Kalbacher, Holy Cross, where he was twice voted to the All-State Team. He transitioned to LSU in Baton Rouge, La where he was signed by and played for Coach Charles McClendon, Doug Hambley and POP Strange. 

Jesse finished his football career and graduated from Troy State University.  After graduation Jesse worked on the Mississippi River before venturing to Alaska with an offshore drilling and exploration company and from there he returned to his roots in Gulfport and worked for the Grand Casino. Jesse was 6 feet 5 Inches tall and was known on the casino floor as JESSE by his coworkers who often said "(everyone and anyone who comes in contact with Jesse loves him and his personality)." He worked as a maintenance Manager for both St. Thomas and Gulf Mart Shopping Center. He survived Hurricane Camille in his family home with his father and said (it changed me forever, as we tied ourselves to a rope wrapped around the dining room table, so we did not get blown or washed away).  

Jesse loved his Catholic faith, St. Thomas, his LSU Tigers and was an avid Saints fan. He loved his horse Honey Holly and hunting and fishing as a youngster. In his youth, he spent his summers playing little League for REDD Pest Control, crabbing and swimming in the Gulf of Mexico.  Jesse loved his brothers and sisters and all his numerous nieces and nephews. 

He is predeceased by his maternal parents, William Frederick Truax and Kathleen Donohoe Truax; his sister, Mary Truax Goolsby; his nephews, Danny Goolsby, Harold Christopher Truax, and most recently, James Catfish Dorman.  Jesse is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Claudel Truax; his sister, Barbara Truax Dorman and her spouse, James (Allen); brother, William Frederick Truax, III; sister, Kathleen Truax Edwards, (spouse, Donald, deceased) and sister, Sylvia Truax Newnom, spouse David. Nephews, Kevin Graham, Rick Truax, Chris Truax, Jason Goolsby; his nieces, Kelly Graham Wawrek, Melissa Crew, Stephanie Given, Kimberly Truax, Amy Genda as well as many second-generation great nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be at 11 am on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Evergreen Gardens Cemetery.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach, is serving the family.