Karl Fasold

Karl Joseph Fasold, age 96, of Gulfport passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2024.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph K and Anna Fasold, wife Deanne, infant daughter Kathleen, brother Joseph, and sister Annie Marie "Toots" Tisdale.

 Survived by a sister, Margaret Fasold of Las Vegas, daughter Ann of Gulfport, son & daughter-in-law, Karl J. Fasold, Jr. (Melita), two granddaughters Kathleen and Kathryn all of New Orleans, and his companion following the Deanne's death, Linda Russell.

 A life-long resident of Gulfport, Karl attended St. Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis, where he received the music medal for outstanding achievement and leadership in the Stanislaus Band, and the Cup of Character, the highest award at the school. He attended Tulane University in New Orleans and graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point, NY in 1950.

 Following graduation, Karl was a ship's officer with Lykes Brothers Steamship Company, then enlisted in the US Navy as a Lieutenant, serving on the destroyer USS Gearing (DD-710) before and after the Korean War. After discharge, he returned home and joined his father in the family business, Joseph K Fasold Jewelry, and opened his own store, Karl's Jewelry, a few years later. At one time, Karl owned three jewelry & gift stores on the coast. He married Helen Deanne Rankin in 1956, welcomed a son in 1960 and a daughter in 1966. Karl continued his service to his country in the Naval Reserve, serving as the Executive Officer, then Commander, of the Naval Reserve Surface Division 6-70(M) at Gulfport, and retired with the rank of Commander. He continued his love of music, playing Saxophone and Clarinet professionally as a member of the Skyliners Orchestra, covering events at the Broadwater, Buena Vista and Edgewater Hotels, Keesler Officer's Club, and all of the Gulf Coast Yacht Clubs, with his brother Joe and his dear friend Aubrey Marshall. In his spare time, Karl elevated his Coast Guard license to Chief Mate.

 Karl continued to own and operate Karl's Jewelry through the devastation of Hurricanes Camille and Katrina as well as several robbery attempts, one of which resulted in a permanent disability in his left hand. He closed the store and retired after achieving the milestone of "100 years of Fasold's Jewelry in Gulfport" at the age of 95.

 In his later years Karl most enjoyed being an indulgent grandfather, taking every opportunity to spoil his granddaughters during their summer visits, much to the consternation of his son, who had considerably different memories of his father's parenting style!

 The family gratefully appreciates Marilyn Tournage for her care during Karl's final days.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at St. John Catholic Church in Gulfport. Friends may visit one-hour prior to Mass at the church. A private interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Fasold family.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation online in memory of Karl Fasold, Class of 1950.