Eric M. Jewess

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. - Commander Eric M. Jewess, U.S. Coast Guard Retired, 57, of Ocean Springs, formerly of Bessemer, Mich., passed away unexpectedly Friday, March 6, 2015, at his home in Ocean Springs.

He was born Sept. 23, 1957, the son of Jack and Yoko Jewess.

On Dec. 21, 1985, he was married to Monda McLaughlin, aboard ship.

Eric graduated from A.D. Johnston High School, Bessemer, in 1975. Eric attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy from 1975 to 1979, earning a Bachelor of Science in naval architecture and marine engineering. Eric then attended the University of Michigan from 1983 to 1985, earning a Master of Science in mechanical engineering, naval architecture and marine engineering.

Eric served a distinguished career in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1979 to 1999, retiring with the rank of Commander. From 2003 to the present, he worked as a logistics manager for Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., Gulf Coast.

Survivors include his mother, Yoko Jewess, of Wakefield, Mich .; sons Zachary (Kelly) Jewess, of Washington, D.C., and Alex Jewess, of Alabama; and daughter, Madeline Jewess, of Mississippi; brother, Frank (Claire) Jewess, of Ramsay, Mich., and Jay (Luci) Jewess, of Oregon; grandchildren Sabra and Parker Jewess, of Washington D.C. Other survivors include nephews James Jewess, Tyler Jewess and Jack Jewess; great-nephew, Trenton Johnson; and nieces Stefanie Johnson and Hannah Jewess.

Eric was preceded in death by his father, Master Sgt. Jack "Sarge" Jewess.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2015, in Florence, Ala. A separate memorial service will be held in Bessemer at a later date.

Eric was a devoted father and grandfather. He spoke often and fondly of his memories growing up in Bessemer, that this is where he belonged. He was very much looking forward to returning to the area this summer for this 40th class reunion to be with friends, share experiences and rekindle memories.

"I thought of you today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday, and days before that, too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories and a picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake, from which I'll never part. God has you in his arms, I have you in my heart." -Author unknown.