Michael L. "Mike" Smith

September 25, 1942 — November 8, 2023

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Michael L. “Mike” Smith, age 81 of Ocean Springs passed away on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Mike was born on September 25, 1942 in Fort Morgan, CO to Roy and Virginia Smith. From Colorado the Smith family moved to Napa, CA when Mike was a young child. While growing up in Napa he attended Napa Senior High School, class of 1960, Mike met and married Beverly, where they had three children and resided until they moved to Ocean Springs in 1972.

Mike began his shipbuilding career at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, CA and continued his career at Ingalls Shipbuilding (Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries). Mike spent most of his career in the LHD Program Office, starting with LHD-1 and retiring in 2012 as a Master Shipbuilder.

Mike coached soccer for many years, working with Bob Constable, who brought soccer to Pascagoula. They were instrumental in forming the Ocean Springs Soccer Organization (OSSO). Mike served as President of the organization in its formative years.

After retiring from Ingalls Shipbuilding, Mike found a new passion in volunteering at The Lord is My Help, in Ocean Springs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Virginia Smith. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Beverly, of Ocean Springs; his three children, Darin (Mary) of Hattiesburg, Dana (Laura) and Denise, of Ocean Springs; his grandchildren, Catherine, Conner, Austin (Kim); and great grandchildren, Dawson and Scarlett. He is also survived by his brother, Ron Smith of Napa, CA; sister, Donna Smith Catalani (Albert); and nephews, Anthony Catalani and Dominic Catalani of Morgan Hill, CA.

The family wants to express their heartfelt gratitude to the many nurses and doctors who cared for Mike over the past two years.

A family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to The Lord is My Help in Ocean Springs.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Michael L. "Mike" Smith.

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