Jack Vernon Madison

Jack Vernon Madison, age 100, of Biloxi, MS, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2026.

 Born in Biloxi on July 11, 1925, Jack had an intelligent and inquisitive nature that found peace in experiencing the outdoors and in researching history. He joined the Boy Scouts in his youth, which played a role in his love of nature and the outdoors. After graduating from Biloxi High School in 1943, he served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. He married Marilee Turner of Rockwood, TN, in 1948 and they moved to Mississippi where he was recalled to active duty for the Korean War. Once he was discharged from service, he worked for South Central Bell Telephone Company and AT&T until his retirement around 1985. 

After his retirement, Jack was able to focus on his passions. His desire to share his love of history and the outdoors with others came to fruition in 1986 when he began volunteering at the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Mississippi. As a volunteer, he became a regular presence at Ship Island where he would give tours of Fort Massachusetts to the many visitors who would visit the island. His dedication to the job was recognized when he was awarded the 2011 Southeast Region National Park Service Volunteer-In-Parks award. Jack claimed that conducting tours was what kept him young, and he continued to give tours until he was 99 years old.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, Hazel George and Joseph Hunter Madison; his wife, Marilee Turner; and a daughter, Jackie Lynn Madison.

Survivors include daughters, Diane Madison, Marjorie Bond Tootle (Sam), and Mary Jo Scott (Bill); grandchildren, Anna Joy Mallard (Joshua), Emily Madison-Cooper, and John Scott (Sophie); and great-grandchildren, Isaiah Erne Mallard and Joel Titus Mallard. 

Visitation will be held at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Avenue in Biloxi, on Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 10:00 until 12:00 pm. Interment will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Jack Vernon Madison.