James "Jimmy" Bains

James “Jimmy” Bains IV, 72, passed away on March 1, 2025. He was born January 2, 1953, in Savannah, Georgia, but had been a resident of Gautier, Mississippi, for more than 60 years. Jimmy graduated from Pascagoula High School in Pascagoula, Mississippi. 

After graduation, he began his career as a Brick Mason with Doyle Germany, but it was his good friend, Leonard Deering who really taught him the craft of Masonry. Jimmy was a natural artist, and soon afterward started his own business in the late 1970’s, Bains Masonry Construction, which thrived until he retired in 2019. His talent just didn’t include creating with bricks, but he found ways to incorporate other natural items such as seashells, shark jaws and oyster shells, making his work truly unique and beautiful. 

He was a Methodist, and a lifelong tenter at the New Prospect Methodist Campground in Vancleave, MS. Jimmy was a long-time, and dedicated member of the Gautier Men’s Club, who could be found, along with the group, participating in many civic activities which raised money for scholarships, families in need or just someone needing a helping hand. He loved a good party, and the GMC Mardi Gras festivities were always his favorite parties to attend with his closest friends in the club. Hail, King Altama XVI!

Jimmy had a love for cars, and especially vintage cars, starting with his 1963 Split-Window Corvette Stingray, so Cruisin’ the Coast was always a favorite event for him. However, it was the trips to the Smoky mountains or to the Keys on his Harley, with his wife and friends, that he cherished the most. Lately, he could be found at his country homestead riding his tractor or side-by-side, practicing his excellent marksmanship skills or just relaxing while listening to his favorite music from Iceland. His grandchildren were his pride and joy! You could always find him cheering each of them on in their respective sports, whether it be soccer or softball games, dance or watching horse shows online, he was devoted to them all. Jimmy was a loving and devoted husband, a protective, but proud father and grandfather, and a dependable big brother, who treated everyone he welcomed into his home as his own family. 

He is preceded in death by his father, James H. “Jim” Bains III; his mother, Clio Ramsay Bains; his brother, Thomas Ramsay “Tommy” Bains; and his good boys, Jingles and Sprocket. 

He is survived by his wife, Rene Baker Bains; his daughters, Courtney Bains, Ocean Springs, and Kelly Delancey, Gautier; and son, James H. “Boy” Bains V, Gulfport; his grandchildren, Ameris, Emmy, Lillian, Ramsay, Ayden, Hazel, Ava and Brielle “Jamie Girl”; his brother, Peter David “Pete” Bains (Valerie), Ramsay Springs, MS; and his sister, Emma Carolina Bains, Gautier. He is also survived by his good boys, Snoopy and Buster Brown, who will miss him terribly. 

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Gautier Men’s Club members who have always been a source of friendship and help in good times and bad for many years, Raymond Scott and Chris Molander, who were devoted co-workers and friends, and to Amedisys Healthcare and nurse, Ashley. 

A funeral service will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, March 7, 2025 at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs, MS. Friends may visit from 11:00am until service time. Burial will follow at Ramsay Cemetery, Vancleave, MS. 

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of James Bains.