James Vernon Switzer

James “Jim” Switzer, 72, of Lizana hung up his bunker gear for the last time shortly after midnight Friday September 7, 2012. Jim, the husband of 51 years to Bekka, and father of Chuck Switzer and Yvonne Ainsworth passed away due to complications with an illness he had been battling for a month. Jim was born in Gulfport in 1939 and was the last of 7 children to James and Agnes Switzer both from the MS Gulf Coast. After graduating from Gulfport High, Jim served in the U.S. Navy and returned to the coast where he met and married Bekka in 1961. After moving to Ft. Lauderdale, Jim went back to college and received his degree and opened a computer data service where he retired and sold in 1969. The family moved back to the coast in April of 1973 and chose the Lizana community as home. Shortly thereafter Jim and a couple of members of the community founded the Lizana Vol. Fire Department where Jim stayed active until he fell ill in August of this year. Jim is survived by his wife, both children, and five grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 23, 2012 at Lizana Vol. Fire Dept. station #1 from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Bekka wishes in lieu of flowers that donations be sent to the Lizana Vol. Fire Department station #1 at 16445 Lizana School Road, Gulfport, MS 39503 or may be given to the department during Jim’s celebration of life gathering. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, O’Neal Road, Gulfport, is in charge of arrangements.