Emile Desporte

A guiding force in one of Biloxi's most prominent seafood families, Mr. Emile L. "Junie" Desporte III passed away Wednesday after a steadfast and lengthy refusal to surrender to cancer. He was 59. Junie will be remembered by many as a savvy businessman who helped transform a small family retail seafood outlet into a thriving, multifaceted operation that proudly served generations of Biloxians and the city's many restaurants and visitors. His knowledge of the industry and his confidence in Biloxi's expansion into legalized gaming helped Desporte & Sons Seafood become a signigicant factor in the city's re-establishment as a major tourism destinaion. But to his family, Junie will forever be remembered as a pillar of strength, and comfort, and happiness. His love for life was a constant source of encouragement and assurance to the family he kept so close to him. Never was his commitment to family more evident than in his last few years as he courageously battled to extend his life against a debilitating disease. His concern, as always, was not for himself, but for his family. He accepted his illness with dignity, choosing to shield his friends and associates from the challenges and inevitability of his situation. He chose to fight positively rather than waste time questioning his misfortune. And his inspirational struggle enabled him to enjoy family and friends much longer than otherwise would have been possible. Junie was born June 3, 1947. He grew up in Biloxi and was a young athlete of considerable ability in various sports. His future, however, was in the family seafood business, which has been a vital part of Biloxi's history for more than 100 years. Family and business always came first, followed closely by his dedication to the Catholic Church Our Lady of Fatima, his home parish. Of course, enjoying life was another of his major commitments. Chief among Junie's hobbies was the game of golf, which he pursued with earnest passion, if indifferent attention to its rulebook. In golf, as with life, he preferred to focus on the enjoyment and pleasure of others' company. A round of golf with Junie was part sport, part tragedy, and fulltime hilarity. His words of encouragement were almost as frequent as his biting analysis of his playing partners' errant shots. As a businessman, he was equally playful with customers. But he always made sure that they were happy with the service and product they received. And he was a businessman whose heart was often as big as the ever-present cigar that balanced between his lips. He supported hundreds, if not thousands of fund-raisers throughout his career, and always had an extra filet or pile of shrimp for the needy. Junie's life, though all too brief, was a full one. His positive spirit touched everyone with whom he came into contact. And his legacy as a son, father, brother, grandfather and friend will be carried for generations. Junie was preceded in death by his son, Emile L. "Little Junie" IV; his maternal grandparents, Artemease Demourelle and Osborn Redding; and his paternal grandparents, Alverti Anglado and Ulice Emile Desporte. He is survived by his parents; Emile L. Desporte Jr. and Shirley Desporte; his devoted wife of 30 years, Angie Desporte; his daughter , Angel Harrelson (husband Stacey and daughter Colby); his son Sean Desporte (wife Emily); sister Julie Kessen (husband Andrew and son Dylan); brother Artie Desporte (wife Christine); and his former wife, Joycelyn Romero. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 6th, at 11 a.m. at Fatima Church. Burial will follow at Southern Memorial Park Cemetery on U.S. 90 in Biloxi. Friends may pay their respects at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Hall immediately after the burial. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to the Junie Desporte Foundation, c/o Coast Community Bank. The charitable foundation will perpetuate Junie's memory by helping improve care and hospital treatment for other cancer patients, as well as help defray the cost of necessary medications. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes is in charge of arrangements.