Clinton Henry Oehms, Sr.

Clinton Henry Oehms, Sr. of Biloxi passed away Saturday July 23, 2011 at the age of 88. He was born March 19, 1923 in Memphis, Tennessee and spent part of his childhood in Kokomo, Indiana. Clinton met his wife Clara at a Lutheran Church social on Back Bay and they were married on July 6, 1941. Clinton was a veteran of World War II and served in the Pacific on a Naval LST. After a few years of living where the Coast Guard sent them, the couple settled back in East Biloxi. They resided on Maple Street for 52 years and raised seven children, starting in a small shotgun house, and later built a house together after Hurricane Camille. When Hurricane Katrina destroyed their home, they moved near family in North Biloxi. Clinton was a fisherman who started out working on a Biloxi schooner. He later built and captained several different Biloxi luggers, the last being the Delo. He was able to expertly navigate the Louisiana marshes and spent his winters nipping for oysters. He was often joined on his fishing trips by family. Upon his retirement from shrimping and oystering Clinton spent many years crafting shrimp trawls using his own design. Fishermen often traveled from other states to acquire one of the custom designed nets. Clinton was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years Clara Mae Cottrell Oehms and an infant daughter Peggy; parents, John and Nola Bosarge Oehms of Biloxi; 5 sisters and 4 brothers. He is survived by his children, Rita McDaniel, Glenn Oehms (Dixie), Marie Strange (Rayford), Clara Carriveau (Robert), Clinton Oehms, Jr., John Oehms (Jodi), and Delphine Oehms Hamilton as well as 18 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 1 great- great grandchild. A special thanks to caregivers Tessie Godwin and Susi Rolfs. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, in Biloxi where friends may visit one hour prior. Burial will be in Biloxi City Cemetery.