Thomas James Bourgeois III, 74, passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2008. He was born on Jan. 27, 1934. He is preceded in death by parents Eva Rae Usher and Thomas J. Bourgeois II of Bay St. Louis, MS, sister Joycelyn Coludrovich of Gulfport, MS, his maternal grandparents; Jacob Paul and Henrietta Usher of Clermont Harbor, MS and paternal grandparent, Thomas James Bourgeois Sr. of Waveland, MS. Tom is survived by three sons and their families; Thomas James Bourgeois IV and wife Stephanie of Yorktown, Va., Lonnie Bourgeois and wife Lisa of Mobile, Ala. and Robert Bourgeois and wife Kim of Gulfport, MS, his six grandchildren Meghan Horanic and Jamie Bourgeois, Ryan and Taylor Bourgeois and Kaley and Jarrett Bourgeois. He also leaves to cherish his memory his former wife Carolyn Buckley Bourgeois of Gulfport, MS, nieces, nephews, family and dear friends. He was a veteran of over 25 years as a member of the U.S. Army in Korea and Vietnam; receiving the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Army Aviator Badge, Purple Heart, Parachutist Badge, Distinguished Flying Cross, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal. He was currently self-employed and spent many hours doing what he loved, organizing and running dart tournaments throughout the area. Tom was a kind-hearted man who was always willing to help those around him. The family received friends at the Altmeyer Funeral Home, Denbigh Chapel, 12893 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, Va., 23608 - (757) 874-4200, May 5, 2008. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on a later date. (Sun Herald, The (Biloxi, MS) 2008-05-06)