Richard "Jerry" Gerald Gautier

Richard Gerald “Jerry” Gautier, Jr. 79, of Gautier, Mississippi passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2023. He was born May 23, 1944 in Pascagoula, Mississippi to Gerald and Elizabeth Gautier.

Mr. Gautier attended Gulfport High School where he was a member of the graduating class of 1963.  He was a star basketball player for the Commodores. He received many awards and accolades for his superior basketball skills at Gulfport High. Receiving a basketball scholarship, he continued his education at Perkinston Junior College in Perkinston, Ms., he also attended and played basketball at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Ms. before transferring to the University of Southern Miss where he received his teaching degree in 1968. A short time later he was given the title of “Coach”, a title that served him well. During his career, he taught and coached at Bayou View, in Ms., at Gulfport East High School, at Morton High School in Morton, Ms. and at Gautier High School in Gautier, Ms.

He coached at the middle school and the high school levels, coaching both boys’ and girls’ teams. Often taking many of his teams to tournaments and championships.  He retired from teaching and coaching at Gautier High School in 2006.

Sports were always a part of his life. He enjoyed watching the New Orleans Saints and he was a big fan of the SEC teams…he cheered the loudest for the Alabama Crimson Tide (Roll Tide) and the Mississippi State Bulldogs (Hail State).

Growing up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Jerry was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed saltwater fishing with his dad and his brother, Jimmy. Many of their more exaggerated fishing stories came from fishing at the scrap-yards and out at the islands.  He also liked to go “old school” floundering with a gig and lantern while walking along the shallow beach shore.  Fortunate to live along the Mississippi Gulf Coast for much of his life, he enjoyed the entertainment options it offered, both old style and new.  

While the diseases that took him from us way to soon, his family takes solace in knowing that he was secure in his salvation and he was ready to move on to his eternal home when the Lord was ready for him.

Mr. Gautier was preceded in death by his father, Richard Gerald Gautier, Sr and his mother, Mary Elizabeth (McCullough) Gautier, his wife, Marilyn and his brother, Jimmy.

He is survived by his three sisters, Linda (Bob) Abernathy of D’Iberville, Ms, Janie Gautier of D’Iberville, Ms, and Nancy (Greg) Stuck of Cascilla, Ms. He is also survived by his step-daughter Jenifer Clark (Brian) of Oxford, Ms and a grandson, Davis. He leaves behind several nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Following in the footsteps of his dad, his brother and his uncle’s Henry and Doug Gautier, he wanted to leave one last word on the matter…that the correct pronunciation is Go-Chay.

Funeral arrangements are with O’Bryant-O’Keefe where a private family service will be held. 

Jerry's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. William Evans, Connie Klotzbach PA-C,  Dr. Randy Roth- Medical Director SRH, Hospice of Light SRH Pascagoula, the nursing staff on 1 East SRH and the Lighthouse Asst. Living in Ocean Springs, MS. We appreciate you all for the love and tender care that you gave to our brother.

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