Jerry Mark Burdine Sr., age 92, passed on Friday, July 7, 2017.
Jerry served in the US Navy from 1942-46 during World War II. He was stationed in the Pacific on a repair ship called Hector and was called back to serve in the Korean War. His favorite past time was fishing. He loved a good joke, a story or a laugh.
Jerry served the City of Biloxi for over 30 years as a Master Carpenter and Superintendent of Building and Maintenance. He was responsible for the maintenance and repair of many historic structures owned by the city after Hurricane Camille including: Tullis Manor, Dantzler House, Brielmaier House, Magnolia Hotel, Saenger Theatre, Lighthouse and many others. Jerry was able to keep the artistic detail in those historical structures through his skill and master craftsmanship. After Hurricane Camille, Jerry took salvage material from the debris of the Church of the Redeemer and constructed the Gazebo at Hiller Park. The city with the help of Dixie Newman, dedicated the gazebo in Jerry’s name on August 15, 2013. He received the Image Award from the Biloxi Business Men’s Club. Mayor AJ Holloway proclaimed August 15th as Jerry Burdine Sr. Day. He received the Key to City of Biloxi in 1989. He served the City of Biloxi with 3 mayors, Danny Guice, Jerry O’Keefe and Gerald Blessey. He was of the Methodist faith, a Mason and a member of the VFW. Jerry always said he traveled the world in the Navy and said there was no place like Biloxi. He loved his work and Biloxi.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife Audrey Fayard Burdine; son, Jerry Burdine Jr.; father, Mark Burdine; mother, Odette Demourelle Burdine; sister, Doris Richmond; and son-in-law, Ricky Riviere.
Survivors include his daughters, Suzanne Riviere of Ocean Springs; Nancy (Jamey) Boyette of Biloxi; grandson, Brian Riviere of Hattiesburg; great grandchildren, Emily Riviere, and Mark Austin (Jessica) Riviere and their mother, Lisa.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Vickie Austin and Emily Shultz of the VA Home Base; Dale Toche and Tanya Mille for their care and help; and to Saad Healthcare and Carol Redmond for their compassion during this time.
Services will be held on Monday, July 10, 2017 at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. Friends are invited to visit from 11:30-1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Southern Memorial Park.