Thomas Russell Easterling

Thomas Russell Easterling, 79, died Thursday September 4, 2014 at his home in Gulfport. He was born in Mt. Olive June 16, 1935 to Delmas and Stella Mae. Russell lived in several states including New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, and of course Mississippi. His first job was in a cigar factory in New Jersey. He then went on to work on refrigerated trucks for Minute Maid before becoming a representative of Lennox Heat and Air Corporation traveling throughout the United States. He eventually owned his own HVAC business in Magee, MS and Orlando, FL. He was a deacon at Oak Grove Baptist Church, 32 degree mason and past President of the Bahia Shrine Motor Corps in Orlando, FL. He, along with others, started the Pee Wee football program in Mize and was a big supporter of Mize athletics. He was an avid pilot and owned his own plane. He retired at the age of 55 to return to Gulfport and care for his sister and mother until their deaths. Survivors include four children, daughters Patty Welch of Pearl, Nancy Lack of Mize, Margaret Taylor of Orlando FL, and son Rusty of Magee. 14 grandchildren, 22 great- grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren with the last one “Kolston” being born on Pee Paw’s birthday. He was preceded in death by his wife Audrey; sister, Dorothy Matheny; and his parents. Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 pm until 2:30 pm at Billy M. King Colonial Chapel in Collins with graveside service and interment at 3:00 pm at McNair Cemetery in Mt. Olive. Pallbearers will be Chris and David Easterling, James and Kevin Byrd, Adam Lack and Kody Boykin. Special thanks to grandson Keith Stumbaugh, his fiancée Missy and her Mom for providing loving care that allowed Russell to live at home the last several months of his life. He was a wonderful father, grandfather and friend that will be dearly missed. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, O’Neal Road, Gulfport assisted the family with arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.