John Edward Wrolstad

John Edward Wrolstad a Mississippi Gulf Coast resident for over 48 years passed away suddenly at his home in Gulfport, MS on Monday, January 25 at age 70. Born in Iola, Wisconsin he was raised in Bemidji, Minnesota were he graduated from Bemidji High School and from Bemidji State College in 1961. He previously served in the MS Air National Guard. He moved to Gulfport in 1962 where he began his real estate and insurance career that he so passionately enjoyed. He proudly represented Nationwide Insurance for more than 47 years as an agent. His commitment and personal dedication to his policy holders is something that John will always be remembered for. In 1963, John began his real estate career on the coast. He became a member of the Gulf Coast Association of Realtors in 1968. During his membership he served in every leadership position: President of the Gulfport Board of Realtors in 1971, Vice-President of the West Gulf Coast Board in 1987 and he served a second term as President in 1988. He received the Realtor of the Year Award in 1971 and again in 1986. John was also a million dollar producer and lifetime member of the Distinguished Top Producer Round Table Club. John was known among his peers as the founding father of the MS Gulf Coast Multiple Listing Service as he was instrumental in the purchase of the 1st MLS computer system. He was president of the MLS Board of Directors in 1985, 1986, 1992, 1994 and 1995. His most distinguished honor was being inducted into the Gulf Coast Association Realtor Hall of Fame in 2001. At the time of his death John owned and operated Wrolstad Real Estate & Insurance with his daughter, Leslye. John has been a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church for over 40 years. He is member of the Gulfport Yacht Club and the Home Builders Association of Mississippi Gulf Coast. John is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon & Derva Wrolstad of Bemidji, MN, brother Paul Wrolstad of Bemidji, MN and his son Kent Wrolstad of Gulfport. He is survived by his daughters Leslye Easterling and husband Ray of Gulfport, and Patricia Rice-McNulty of Cumming, GA, two brothers, Tom Wrolstad of Bemidji, MN and David Wrolstad of Cottage Grove, MN. He is the proud grandfather of Lauryn and Michael Easterling of Gulfport, and Parker and Julia Rice of Cumming, GA. The funeral service will be held Friday, January 29, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Gulfport where friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until the service. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Gulfport. The family prefers memorials to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 5005 Lawson Avenue, Gulfport Mississippi 39507. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.