Dr. John W. Coursey Sr.

Dr. John W. (Jack) Coursey, Sr., 85, Col. USAF, Ret., passed away February 12, 2011 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, MS after a brief battle with cancer.

Jack was born on November 23, 1925 to Col. And Mrs. Richard R. Coursey, Sr. in Honolulu, HA. He graduated from Columbus High School in Columbus, GA and Millard's Prep School in Washington, DC in 1943.He received his BS in Animal Husbandry from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland in 1947, and earned his Doctorate of Medicine in Anesthesiology from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD in 1959. While attending college he was a member of Delta Tau Delta Social Fraternity, Phi Kappa Phi Academic Fraternity, and Alpha Zeta Agriculture Fraternity. Janice Jo Peairs of Sutersville, PA and Jack were married in June of 1957.

Entering the US Army in 1944, Jack began his military career earning the rank of 1st Lieutenant in 1947. He re-entered in the Air Force after medical school in 1959, serving his first post at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX, and retiring at Keesler AFB, Biloxi in 1976. While in the Air Force, he held several commanding positions, as well as being a member of NASA's surgical team for Apollo space missions.

After retiring, Dr. Coursey began private practice at the former Gulf Coast Community Hospital in Biloxi, retiring in 1989. When not captaining his boat, the Esteron, and fishing the Gulf, which he loved, he also enjoyed traveling, reading, and his Schnauzers, Max I, Huey, Max II, and Fritz. Jack was a member of the Biloxi Yacht Club and Nu Sigma Nu Medical Fraternity.

His parents and his brother Richard R. "Buck" Coursey, Jr., Ret. Col. USAF, preceded him in death.

Dr. Coursey is survived by his three sons, John Jr. (wife Connie), Timothy (wife Lisa), Michael (wife Maryanne), his former wife, Ms. Janice Jo Coursey, and six grandchildren.

A wake will be held at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME in Biloxi, Tuesday, February 15, 2011 from 5 until 7 pm, and funeral services will be held at the funeral home chapel Wednesday, February 16 at 1:30 pm with full military graveside services at the Biloxi National Cemetery at 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army in Biloxi and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).

Memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com.