Gerald Francis Bourgeois, known to many as "Jerry", passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, in Clinton, MS.  He was 88 years young.  They say, "It's not the years in your life, but the life in your years!", and Jerry was blessed, he had both.

Jerry was born in Darrow, LA on January 29, 1935, to Camille Antoine and Hilda Mire Bourgeois.  He graduated from St. Aloysious High School, New Orleans, LA in 1953.  He continued his scholarly pursuits at Tulane University, graduating in 1957, and within a week of graduation, he married Carole Ann Finnorn, on June 8, 1957. In December 1957, he entered Navigator Training in the United States Air Force. This was a very good year! Together they traveled the world, going wherever the Air Force called him to duty during his storied 28-year career. Retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1985, Jerry and Carole settled down in Ocean Springs, MS.  He taught at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.  During this tenure, he taught fall and spring semesters, embracing the summers, traveling the world with Carole.  They were Road Scholars!  Jerry loved to tell a joke, hear a joke, and enjoyed a good belly laugh. His credo was to always leave them with a joke and a smile.  He was a prankster and loved to pull a good prank. Jerry loved faith, family, friends, football, golf and throwing a good party.  He was a devoted parishioner at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs, MS and was president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for 10 years helping many families on the coast.

Jerry was predeceased by his parents Camille Antoine and Hilda Mire Bourgeois, his brother William (Claire) Bourgeois, brother Eugene (Gladys) Bourgeois, sister Marie (Richard) Norton, and brother-in-law Anthony "Tony" Giovenco.  Also loved and gone before but not forgotten by Jerry were William S. and Patricia Gaudin, Carole's sister, and husband; Frank and Helen Finnorn, Carole's brother, and wife; Carole's parents, William Joseph and Anna (Hebert) Finnorn.

Jerry is survived by his lovely wife of sixty-six years, Carole (Finnorn) Bourgeois. His four children, Yvette (Mario) DeSanctis, Suzanne (Ed) Milam, Gerald "Jay" (Renae) Bourgeois, II, and David (Elise) Bourgeois. He was also survived by his Grand-Children:  Mario (Justine) DeSanctis, Jr., Caroline DeSanctis, Enrico DeSanctis, Regina (Matt) Meyer, Katy Milam, Sarah Milam, Whitney (Luke) Donovan, Lindsey Bourgeois, Sydney Bourgeois, Collin Bourgeois, Gavin Bourgeois, and Marie Bourgeois.  Also survived by his Great-Grandchildren:  Mia DeSanctis, Antonio DeSanctis, Marley Jo Schwartz, and Mathieu Bourgeois.  He is also survived by his sister, Carolyn Giovenco.

There will be a private funeral service on Monday, November 27, 2023.  Jerry's 28 years of devoted service in the United States Air Force will be celebrated with a Military Funeral with Full Honors on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 2:30 P.M. at the Biloxi National Cemetery, 400 Veterans Ave, Biloxi, MS 39531.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul or your favorite charity.