Thomas David McIlwain

Thomas David McIlwain (Tom), age 71 of Ocean Springs, died peacefully at home with his wife and daughter by his side after a long battle with cancer. A lifelong resident of the coast, Tom was born in Pascagoula, MS and graduated from Capitol Page School in Washington D.C. in 1958. After graduation, Tom served briefly in the U.S. Army, and then attended the University of Southern Mississippi and graduated with a B.S., an M.S and a PhD in Zoology. Tom had a career in marine fisheries and science that spanned almost 5 decades, and he was affiliated with the University of Southern Mississippi- Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) for most of his career. From 1978-1989, Tom served as Assistant Director of Fisheries at GCRL. In 1983, he served for 9 months as special fisheries legislative assistant to Congressman Trent Lott, and from 1989-1994 he served as the Director of GCRL. In 1994, Tom retired from the GCRL and served the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Laboratory as a fisheries administrator. After a second stint in Washington D.C as a legislative fellow, he returned to his position at NMFS-Pascagoula until his retirement from federal service in 2003. McIlwain returned to GCRL in 2003 to coordinate the expansion of facilities for the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center at the Cedar Point site. He retired from GCRL in July 2012 after completing this project. Spanning his career at GCRL and NMFS, McIlwain had a major impact in several areas of marine research, policy development and management. He was instrumental in establishing a striped bass fishery along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the development of the MARFIN project to support marine fishery research nationally and the United States Marine Shrimp Farming Program; the major U.S. effort to develop a national program in shrimp aquaculture. He served from 2006-2012 as a voting member of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council representing the state of Mississippi and served as Chairman from 2007-2009. Tom was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs where he served as a deacon, elder, trustee, and clerk of the session. His favorite job however, was serving as the official greeter, welcoming people to the service every Sunday morning. He was also one of the founding members of the Mississippi Presbyterian Cursillo movement which was near and dear to his heart. Tom loved the water, was a lifelong sailor, and found solace aboard his beloved vessel, the Stacey L. Tom was also a long-time member of the Ocean Springs Yacht Club where he served as Commodore from 1976-1977. He also served as chairman of the Jackson County Harbor Commission. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Kathleen McIlwain of Pascagoula. Tom is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Janet Chapman McIlwain; his daughter, Stacey McIlwain Randall (Bradley); granddaughters, Allie and Lindsay; brother, Barry McIlwain (Jane); sister, Martha McIlwain Murray (James) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, friend and a mentor to many. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Ocean Springs. Friends may visit from 1:00 p.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the: Tom McIlwain Gulf Coast Research Laboratory Fisheries Endowment Fund #2038, c/o USM Foundation 118 College Drive #5210, Hattiesburg, MS 39406 or visit USMfoundation.com (Fund #2038 Tom McIlwain) Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs is in charge of arrangements.