Individual Details

OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- The story of John Miner is, at its core, a love story. It began 80 years ago when he first met Maryalice Fairbank when the two were in the 7th grade. Nine years later, they were married and remained at each other's side for the next 71 years. It ended Friday night when John Miner, an Ocean Springs businessman and philanthropist, died peacefully at his home at the age of 91. "It was the most beautiful love story," said their daughter, Merileigh Miner Furr. Furr was at her father's bedside when he passed. She said her father had been in declining health in recent months and they knew the end was likely near. Friday, he spent much of the day sleeping, but awoke later and called for "Bubs" -- his pet name for Maryalice -- who recently suffered a stroke. "She was wheeled over to the side of the bed and he told her goodbye," Furr said, "that he loved her forever and then he asked her to come with him. She said 'I'm not ready yet. Can you give me a few days?' "Then my mother said 'I love you forever' and dad said 'I love you forever.' Then mom said 'I've loved you since I was a little girl' and told him he was her 'OAO'. I didn't know what that meant. I asked if it was Hawaiian, because they had lived in Hawaii. Mom said 'No, that means One And Only.'' "Then dad said 'I'll see you tomorrow,'" Furr continued. "It was more beautiful than anything a Hollywood script writer could have written." Through his service in the U.S. Coast Guard, 35 years as an engineer at Ingalls Shipbuilding, 30 years as a local business owner, and his community involvement and philanthropy, John Miner has left an indelible mark. But beyond his accomplishments, John Miner may best be remembered for his gentlemanly nature, as a kind, generous man who was always quick with a smile or a kind word. "One of his greatest characteristics was he always came across as a friendly, kind, compassionate man," said his son, Dr. Steve Miner. "He never had a cross word to say about anybody. I never heard him say anything negative about anybody in his life. "He also had a work ethic that was just phenomenal. He felt sure enough about himself that there wasn't anything he couldn't do -- whether it was plumbing, laying bricks, fixing a washing machine -- that was the engineer in him coming out." As the lone daughter among the four Miner children, Merileigh Furr said her father never stopped doting on her. "He was the most tender, loyal, optimistic, intelligent person I have ever known," she said. "He never, ever tired of showing me how much he adored me. He had so much honor and integrity and devotion. It didn't have an off switch. "I can still remember him giving me ice cream money when I was a little girl. He had such big, strong hands, but he always had such a gentle touch. It was those same hands I held during his final moments. It was tender and beautiful." John Miner was native of Connecticut and was raised in Arlington, Va. He and Maryalice met while both in school in Washington, D.C. John was accepted to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where he studied Marine and Nuclear Engineering, and he and Maryalice were married on his graduation day in June 1945. A dedicated military wife, Maryalice followed John to tours of duty in Hawaii, Guam and San Francisco. In 1952, John left the USCG and took an engineering job at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, where he was part of the team which designed nuclear submarines. They originally located in Pascagoula upon their arrival in Mississippi, but relocated to Ocean Springs in 1969. It was during their first year in Pascagoula the Miners witnessed a child drown and participated in the search and recovery. Maryalice, a passionate swimmer, determined after the incident to begin swimming classes for children. With John's support, they established the Aquatic Club in Pascagoula and another swim program in the St. Andrews community after moving to Ocean Springs. In 1972, Maryalice sold a diamond ring her father had given her to acquire the money needed to buy a piece of property on Government Street in Ocean Springs where a community swimming pool could be built. The Marmin (derived from the first three letters of Maryalice's first and last names) Aquatic Center opened as the first eight-lane, competition class, indoor facility in Mississippi. John did all the design and engineering for the natatorium. In 1975, with the support of businessman Woody Blossman, the Miners contacted the national YMCA, donated their equity in the aquatic center, and what is now the Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA was born. "Literally, the Y wouldn't have that facility if it weren't for them," said YMCA Fitness Director Joey Conwill. "If they hadn't built the natatorium, if they hadn't seen the need in the community, the YMCA may not even exist. It was their vision which allowed it to happen." The YMCA natatorium is named for John and Maryalice Miner. In the late 1980s, the Miners were in New York City, where John was interviewing for a possible position with the U.S. Navy. Accepting the job, however, would have required the Miners to relocate. Furr said the two visited the famed FAO Schwarz toy store in New York and that visit prompted an idea. "My mother had always worked with kids and my dad had an MBA, so they thought 'Why not go back to Ocean Springs and open a toy store and stay in the community we love and near our family?'" From that idea, Miner's Toy Store was founded in 1987 and the store has become one of the iconic businesses in downtown Ocean Springs. For nearly 30 years, John and Maryalice could be found there, six days a week, and the two became ambassadors of sorts for the Ocean Springs business community. "Mr. Miner was a vital part of the community of Ocean Springs," said Cynthia Sutton, Executive Director of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce. "He was a cheerleader for downtown Ocean Springs and was a really important part of what makes Ocean Springs what it is. We will definitely miss him as a community." John Miner was devoted to his country and his community, but those who knew him best say his greatest love was Maryalice and his family. "Even with all their pursuits, home and family were his most important priorities," son John Miner wrote in a Facebook tribute to his father. "Dad was very clear he would spend his final days at this house and no other, watching the sunset and sitting with his sweetie. In addition to Maryalice, John Miner leaves behind four children: Steve, Merileigh, John and David. Visitation is set for 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church in Ocean Springs, with a service and reception to follow. "He woke up happy, lived happy and died happy, with his loved ones and in his beloved home," son John wrote. "He was loved by many and will be missed by many."
The Mississippi Press (gulflive.com), Pascagoula, Mississippi, February 20, 2017

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Birth	28 Jun 1925	Connecticut
Marriage	5 Jun 1946	New London, New London County, CT - Maryalice "Bubs" FAIRBANK
Death	18 Feb 2017	Ocean Springs, Jackson County, MS
Burial		Biloxi National Cemetery, Biloxi, Harrison County, MS

Spouse	Maryalice "Bubs" FAIRBANK (1925 - 2017)
Child	Living

Father	Ellsworth Frost MINER (1887 - 1951)
Mother	Mary Helen KENNARD (1886 - 1975)

Notes