Everett John "Jay" Ferris III

Everett John “Jay” Ferris III passed away peacefully on June 10, 2025, at his home in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, overlooking his favorite view of the golf course and surrounded by love, family, and friends.

Jay was born on October 30, 1957, in Yazoo City, Mississippi. He proudly served in the United States Air Force and had a lifelong passion for aviation. Professionally, Jay dedicated his career to protecting the environment as a hydrogeologist, working tirelessly to remove contaminants from water sources. His commitment was unwavering—so much so that during the BP oil spill, he slept on the beach to support the cleanup effort. He served two terms as the President of the Geological Society of Mississippi.

Jay was a man of many passions. He loved dancing and participated in local dance competitions and community ballet performances, including The Nutcracker. He served as the President of the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Ballet Theater. Though notoriously allergic to cats, he couldn’t resist rescuing three, who remained his devoted companions in his final days.

Above all, Jay was a loving father and grandfather. He is survived by his daughters Kristen Goff, Kelli Breland, Sarah Hudson, and their mother Sharon Easterling; his grandchildren Rowen Goff, Caroline Goff, and Wyatt Breland; his brother Perrin Ferris; and his cousins Patricia Perrin Oldham and Sarah Grace Perrin Huffines.

He is preceded in death by his father, James Murrell Ferris; his mother, Nettie Grace Perrin Ferris; his brother, James Murrell Ferris Jr.; and his stepmother, Catherine “Cackie” McDowell Ferris.

A celebration of Jay’s life will be held at his home (13812 Fairway Drive, Ocean Springs, MS) on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 3–5 p.m. All who knew and loved Jay are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Jay’s honor to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Both Jay and his daughter Kelli were cancer survivors, and Kelli was once granted a cherished Make-A-Wish trip as a child.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Everett John “Jay” Ferris III.