James Chad Allen

James Chad Allen (Chad), 31, of Ocean Springs, MS passed away Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Chad was born November 11, 1991 to Alvin and Beth Allen.

Chad graduated from Ocean Springs High School in 2010. Following high school, he attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Culinary School where he received his Associate’s Degree in 2018. Chad worked as a chef at several restaurants along the coast, but his favorite place to work was McElroys in Ocean Springs and Biloxi. While there, he made several life long friends. He enjoyed watching the sunset from McElroys in Biloxi and would often send sunset pictures to his family group chat. Chad loved being outdoors and just about all his hobbies showed that. He enjoyed life on the water, from swimming, boating, kayaking, diving, to just sitting close by and watching the waves. He and his dad especially loved diving together, their favorite place to do so being Panama City Beach, FL. Chad had a love of sea turtles. Even from a young age he could identify them all and give a little info about each one. He loved going to his family’s camp at Toledo Bend in Many, LA. As a young boy, he’d spend hours in his bass buggy looking for turtles on the lake. Chad also enjoyed a good bonfire regardless of the season or the temperature. He was an avid gardener who could plant and grow just about anything. He was most proud of his mimosa tree and rose bushes that he grew from cuttings received from various family members. One of Chad’s favorite past times was four-wheeler riding with Bella, his faithful four-legged companion. He always had and loved having dogs; but Bella was by far his favorite. Bella remained loyally, faithfully, and comically by Chad’s side through all the highs and lows and always greeted everyone with a full body wiggle and a half smile. Chad was also a life-long member of Belle Fountain Baptist Church in Ocean Springs where he gave his life to Jesus at an early age.

He is survived by his parents, Alvin and Beth Allen of Ocean Springs, MS; grandparents, Norman and Wandra Allen of Ocean Springs, MS, William Verret of Sulpher, LA, and Patricia Jordan of Lafayette, LA; niece and nephews, Cody, William, Violet, and Nate; sibling, Holly (Nathan) Allen Moore; and his loyal and faithful dog, Bella.

A visitation will be held from 5 pm to 8 pm on Monday, October 9, 2023 at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. On Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 1:30 pm, a funeral service will take place at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the Belle Fountain Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Chad’s name to Belle Fountain Baptist Church in Ocean Springs. The family would like to thank Hospice of Light in Ocean Springs for everything they’ve done for them; not only did they take excellent care of Chad, but they also took wonderful care of Alvin and Beth as well.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of James Chad Allen.