Bobby Lee Chain

Bobby Lee Chain, Sr.

Hattiesburg

Bobby Lee Chain, September 19, 1929-May 31, 2014, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi has led a remarkable life. To him, the most important things would include his family, business, church, community and country. With his family being priority, this Mississippi icon, entrepreneur, businessman and politician has made a profound impact at the local, state and national levels.

Throughout his life, Bobby has always had a passion for his hometown and has dedicated himself to its improvement and development. He attended public schools, graduated from Demonstration High School at Mississippi Southern College, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction Technology from The University of Southern Mississippi and received an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from William Carey University. His love for the City of Hattiesburg, the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey are well known to those closest to him.

Business began for Bobby at the ripe old age of 8. He parched and sold peanuts on the streets of Mount Olive. He picked cotton, and at 13 was selling newspapers to the troops at Camp Shelby south of Hattiesburg. After serving in the Korean War and with full confidence in his hometown business environment, Bobby began Chain Electric Company in 1955 with meager resources of $2,200. Today, Chain Electric Company is a multi-state commercial, industrial, and utility contractor, and a pillar of the Hattiesburg business community. The phenomenal growth and rich history of Chain Electric Company brought the firm to be named as the number two fastest growing private company in Mississippi in 2009. Bobby also served as chairman and C.E.O. of CHAINCO, an exploration and petroleum investment firm. He was awarded the Rotary Club's Albert Gallatin Award for outstanding businessman for Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee, and received the Mississippi College Executive Excellence Award in 2011.

Bobby served as Mayor of Hattiesburg from 1980-1986 where he worked hard to bring more economic opportunities to the city. The naming of the " Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport" in the Hattiesburg Industrial Park recognized his dedication and support to improve aviation facilities and services in the area. In addition, Bobby was the first to receive the Hub Award in 1979 and he recently donated land to the city for the development of Chain Park.

For the last 45 years, Bobby was involved in the organization and direction of numerous financial institutions at the local, state, and national levels where he served on many boards and held officer positions. Most recently, after serving an eight-year term, he retired from the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of the United States, assigned to Dallas, TX.

Bobby's drive, determination and willingness to serve has resulted in appointments to working boards and commissions, in a wide array of disciplines, in business, industry, government, and education. Highlighting these include an appointment by President Lyndon Johnson to the National Advisory Council for Small Business Administration in 1964 and serving on the Mississippi Research and Development Foundation from 1972 -1984. In 2002, Bobby was recognized along with Congressman Sonny Montgomery as a member of Friends of West Point. The United States Military Academy, Center for Oral History, recognized him with a Formal Announcement May 13, 2008, for his contribution to the program at the Academy.

Perhaps, Bobby's greatest impact on education was his appointment to the Board of Trustees, Institutions of Higher Learning, State of Mississippi. He was appointed to a twelve-year term, 1972-1984, and served as President of the Board from 1978-1980. During his time on the College Board, and with Mississippi facing a shortage of doctors, he led a successful effort to have Doctors of Osteopathy educated and licensed to practice in Mississippi. Today a College of Osteopathic Medicine is graduating its first class in Mississippi at William Carey University.

Bobby's further roles impacting education include serving as Chairman of the Pearl River College Advanced Technology Center, a member of The University of Southern Mississippi College of Business Advisory Board, the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation Board, and Mississippi College Foundation Board. President Ronald Reagan appointed Bobby to the National Advisory Council on Adult Education from 1984-1988. The technology building at the University of Southern Mississippi bears the name "Bobby L. Chain Technology Center," recognizing his further contribution to education, particularly higher education. His most recent contribution to education was to serve as National Coordinator of the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, raising $15 million of the $22.8 million required to construct the Center.

The "Chain Garden" located on the campus of William Carey University was given by the Chain family in 1992 and was recently renovated. This beautifully landscaped garden is highlighted by a six-foot bronze statue cast in Italy, "The Risen Christ."

In a recent book about Bobby, "The Life and Journals of a Mississippi Entrepreneur," former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said: "Bobby Chain is a shining example of the things that make Mississippi such a special place. I am very appreciative of his lifetime of efforts and proud to honor him with the inaugural award of the 'Mississippi Medal of Service."

Bobby is survived by his wife of 48 years, the former Betty Green of Hattiesburg. Bobby and Betty had four children Robin (Joe) Gordy, Laura Felsher, Bob (Christy) Chain, and John (Kerri) Chain. They enjoy eleven grandchildren, Harley, Madison, Margaret, and Chase Felsher, Catie and Ellie Chain, Webb, Anna Caroline, and Sellers Chain, Mary Katherine (Brad) Easley and Leigh Ann (Alston) McMahon. Three great grandchildren, Abby, Emma, and Anna Bradley Easley, and a number of nieces and nephews. Bobby is preceded in death by his father, Zollie Lee Chain, his mother Grace Sellers Chain and his sister, Nell Chain. The Chains are active members of First Presbyterian Church of Hattiesburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation for " Bobby Chain Endowed Scholarship Fund," William Carey University, First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, Presbyterian Christian School, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Both visitations and the service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Hattiesburg. Visitation will be Monday, June 2, 2014, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and Tuesday, June 3, 2014, from 1:00-2:00 pm. The service will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at 2:00 pm.