John Stringer

Dr. John Douglas Stringer

1929 - 2016

Gulfport, MS

Dr. John Douglas Stringer, of Gulfport, passed away on Monday, October 24, 2016 after an extended illness. He was fortunate to have excellent caregivers who assisted his family in taking care of him.

A native of Yazoo City, Mississippi, he graduated from high school there in 1947. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marines to save money for college until being called to serve his country in the U.S. Army. His time in the military was spent in Germany, where he was in a tank battalion and earned the rank of Sergeant. He was at the Fulda Gap during the height of the cold war and his tank had a direct view of opposing Russian forces on their maneuvers.

His service time further motivated him to pursue his education with a goal of dentistry as his career. He completed his undergraduate degree with honors at Millsaps College in Jackson Mississippi and was a member of the Lambda Chi Fraternity. While in Jackson, he met his wife to be, Nelda Joyce Gatewood. Together they went to Memphis, Tennessee, where he earned his dental degree Summa Cum Laude from the University of Tennessee, and began his general dental practice in Long Beach, Mississippi in 1959. In 1969 he went back to specialize in Orthodontics at St. Louis University, finishing at the top of is class.

He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow) and a life member of the Mississippi Dental Association. He practiced as an Orthodontist in Gulfport until 1999 and truly appreciated being a health care provider for 40 years; however, he appreciated even more the 61 years he spent as husband to his wife, Nelda and being able to mentor his children and grandchildren in developing their lives to their best potential.

His is survived by his wife, Nelda Stringer of Gulfport; his children, Sheryl Stringer of Houston, TX, Mark Stringer and his wife, Denise of Long Beach, and Tabb Stringer and his wife, Tracie of Oak Harbor, WA; his grandchildren, Christopher, Haleigh, Laurel, and Linsey Stringer of Long Beach, and Emily Stringer of Oak Harbor, WA; and his siblings, Naomi Bonorden of Aransas, TX and Sami Shirley of Ingleside, TX.

His interest included flying and he combined that in his later years by his work in Honduras with the "Wings of Angels". Their group provided air ambulance service to remote areas for those needing assistance. With his interest in aviation, memorial gifts in his honor can be made to the "Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum", c/o F. Gonzales, PO Box 7914, Gulfport, MS 39506, which is planned to open in Gulfport, Mississippi in the near future.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Road, Long Beach, with a visitation for family and friends from 10:00 AM until the service. Burial with military honors will be held on Monday, October 31, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Biloxi National Cemetery.

An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com.