Gary J. Tallant

Gary J. Tallant, age 73, of Biloxi, Mississippi, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2026.

Gary was born on February 16, 1953, in Berea, Kentucky, to the late Roy Tallant and Ada Thacker Tallant.

He currently worked at Harrah’s Gulf Coast Casino, where he was well liked by many coworkers and customers. He never met a stranger, and had a way of making everyone feel like a friend from day one. He was voted Employee of the Month and was nominated several times for both Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year throughout his years there.

Before moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Gary retired from Abilene Auto Auction in Abilene, Texas. He was a retired professional drummer with his band Kactus and did studio drum work for several artists. Gary was also a gifted songwriter; music was simply part of who he was.

Above all, Gary was a family man who loved the Lord, his family, and his country. His appreciation for the military began early in life as the son of an Air Force serviceman. Gary grew up on military bases and carried a lifelong respect for those who served. He also developed a love for airplanes that stayed with him throughout his life.

Gary was a lifelong follower and devoted fan of the University of Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team. Kentucky was more than the team he cheered for; it was home. He always looked forward to returning to Kentucky to see his much loved family and friends, and stayed in touch with them as much as possible until he could go back to see them.

Gary also loved being outdoors in all types of weather. One of his favorite outdoor activities was catch-and-release fishing with his family, which started at a young age and remained a special activity for him.

His favorite actor was John Wayne, and he enjoyed westerns and classic TV shows like Bonanza and The Rifleman. Gary had always wanted to become a police officer, but at the time, he was a half inch too short to qualify- a fact he managed to jokingly work into conversation throughout his life. Even with this, he still had an incredible impact in serving his community through his service in security and mindset of protection everywhere he went.

And anyone who knew Gary knew he had a few very important "food groups": pizza, tacos (on Tuesdays), and chicken strips.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Jill Tallant; his four children, Ryan Alexander Smith and his wife Casey of Kansas, Cheyanna Ochoa and her husband Raul of Texas, Jessica Shelley and her husband Brian of Mississippi, and Julianna Manwell of Washington; his mother-in-law and best buddy, Kathy Cullison of Mississippi; 15 grandchildren; and his precious fur babies, Winniepoo and Matcha.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue in Biloxi. Friends may visit one hour prior to the service.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Gary J. Tallant