Ike Parsons LaRue Jr.

Mr. Ike Parsons LaRue, Jr., age 88, one of the pioneers of the Oil and Gas Business in the State of Mississippi, died on August 29, 2006, in Madison, MS., after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Ike was a resident of Jackson, MS. for over 30 years before moving to Ocean Springs, MS., in 1972, where he resided before retiring to the Sunnybrooke Retirement Community in Madison in 2002.

After acquiring an interest in the Gulf Hills Dude Ranch and Country Club in Ocean Springs, MS., in the early 1960s Ike and his family moved to Ocean Springs in 1972 after a Christmas Day fire destroyed most of the hotel in 1971. He then took an active role in the management of the Hotel, Golf Course, and Real Estate Development in the Gulf Hills area.

Ike was an avid sportsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, golf and tennis. He played a mean game of blackjack at the area casinos.

He enjoyed a variety of business pursuits during his long and fruitful lifetime. He was involved in varied Oil and Gas enterprises with his family over the years, including Larco Drilling and Exploration Company of Jackson, MS., Southeastern Drilling Company of Dallas, TX., and LaRue and LaRue of Ocean Springs, MS.

Among his other business interests in Jackson were Larwil Lanes Bowling Center, LeFleurs Restaurant, Hanging Moss Gardens and Sundial Farms Subdivision in Madison County, MS. He was also very active in the hotel business, having an interest at one time in several hotels in Jackson, MS., including the Heidelburg, the King Edward, the Jacksonian, the Sun and Sand and the old Castaways Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

Ike was an Attorney-at-Law, an Oil and Gas Broker and a Real Estate Broker, as well as a Real Estate Developer.

He served 2 terms on the Mississippi Agricultural and Industrial Board, was a founding member of the Jackson Petroleum Club and the Capital City Gun Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents, I.P. LaRue, Sr. and Ruth Q. LaRue, of Athens, Texas, his first wife, Martha Todd LaRue, and two brothers, J.T. LaRue, II and Fred C. LaRue, Sr.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret McKibben LaRue, his sister, Ruthie LaRue Owen, his five children, Terry Jensen of Euless, TX., Martha Fulcher, wife of Bob Fulcher, of Jackson, MS., Nancy Blakney, wife of Dick Blakney of Granbury, TX., Tom LaRue, husband of Emily Givens LaRue and Bill LaRue, husband of Debbye McManus LaRue, of Vancleave, MS., four stepchildren, 18 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 12 nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Friday, September 1, 2006, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 621 Duling Avenue, Jackson, MS. 39216.

On Saturday, September 2, 2006, there will be a visitation from 2-3 PM at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home, 911 Porter, Ocean Springs, followed by a 3 PM graveside service in Crestlawn Memorial Park.

Ike was a lifelong supporter of the Methodist Children's Home, 7578 Old Canton Rd., Madison, MS., 39110. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Methodist Children's Home is requested by his family.

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