Roger Ishee

Roger G. Ishee

1930 ~ 2015

Gulfport

Roger G. Ishee, 85, of Gulfport, passed away Sunday, June 21st at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans, LA. He was born March 25th, 1930 in Dushau, Jasper County, Mississippi, the son of the late Herbert Andrew Ishee and the late Charity Kaitlyn Huddleston Ishee.

Roger is survived by his wife of over 62 years the former Doris Klein of Gulfport, as well as two sons Roger E. Ishee (Lee) of Lafayette, and David M. Ishee (Linda) of Gulfport. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Michael, William and Catherine Ishee of Lafeyette and Lauren Ishee of Gulfport

Roger also served on active duty with the United States Air Force from 1948-1953, where he served two tours of duty overseas, one with the occupational forces on Okinawa, Japan and a second in war time Korea where he was a courier for 5th Air Force Advance Headquarters, rising to the rank of Master Sargent.

Roger was a 57-year resident of Gulfport, He was employed at Keesler AFB as an instructor of electronics and communication with the Officers Technology School from 1958-1985. He was also the general manager of Floral Hills Memorial Gardens from 1972-1997. Roger also served in the Mississippi House of Representatives District 118 for over 14 years, winning a special election on September 23, 1997 and serving until 2012

Following his military service he attended Louisiana State University graduation in 1957 with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering. Upon graduating, Roger worked in the oil industry before returning to Gulfport and continuing his service with the U.S. Air Force as a civilian instructor.

Roger was a devoted member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church for over 50 years, where he served on the Board of Elders since the 1960s as well as multiple terms as President of the Congregation, Property Board Chairman and Sunday School Superintendent. He also taught Adult Bible class, served as an usher and assisted with communion.

Roger was an original member of the Gulfport Business Club, and a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. Roger was also a member of the Korean Veterans Assoc., and a former member of the Gulfport Gridiron Club and the Mississippi City Lions Club.

He was an avid philanthropist, donating over 30 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross, establishing a food bank at St. Matthews Lutheran church and was a generous supporter of Lutheran World Relief. He also served as President of the PTA, and was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader, serving as President of the Pine Burr Area Council of South Mississippi for the Boy Scouts of America.

While serving in the Mississippi Legislature Roger served on the Ethics, Insurance, Juvenile Justice, Military Affairs Public Property, and Universities and Colleges Committees as well as Vice-Chairman of Conservation and Water Resources, and was the author of numerous bills, including 7 during his first year in office.

Prior to his election to public office Roger was extremely active in public service as part of an 8 man committee that helped establish the Gulf Coast Campus of the University of Southern Miss at Gulf Park. He was also a founder and past president of the Gulfport Citizens Advisory Committee.

Even more important to Roger in his life was his family that he always put first and who remembers him as a loving and sacrificing husband, father and grandfather.

Roger is fondly remembered by many citizens from all walks of life as well as public officials from across the state as a devoted and effective public servant.

The Ishee family would like to thank his caregivers Lawrence White and Barbara Johnson, and Kim Moran for their devoted love and attention, as well as the doctors, nurses and staff of Memorial Hospital and Ochsner Clinic for their support.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 24th from 5:00 - 7:00 at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home on 15th Street in Gulfport, and funeral service will be held Thursday, June 25th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Gulfport, with visitation at 9:30. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to St. Matthews Lutheran Church,1301 31ST Ave, Gulfport, MS 39501.

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