Leslie "Les" Newcomb

Leslie “Les” Newcomb, 85 of Long Beach died Thursday, January 5, 2017. He was born in Blue Mountain, MS and was a longtime resident of the Coast. After graduating from University of Mississippi with a few bachelor degrees, one of which was in Chemistry, Les joined the Masonite Corporation and held two patents for innovative inventions. Realizing his passion for helping others, he changed careers and organized the Hattiesburg / Forrest County Civil Defense in 1959 and served as the Civil Defense Director until 1962. He organized Mississippi Civil Defense Directors Association and served as its first president. Les joined Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District (SMPDD) when it was founded in 1967, becoming its Executive Director in 1968 and holding that position for nearly fifty years. With his leadership, SMPDD grew to be one of the largest and most diversified regional planning entities in the United States. Les helped immensely in the development of South Mississippi. In 1968, he organized the MS Association of Planning and Development Districts, helped organize the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and served on its board of directors, as secretary, and as President in 1973. While President, Les helped establish the NADO national office in Washington, D.C. Under the direction of Les, SMPDD developed Aging and Senior Aides programs; job development and training programs that were used state-wide; he implemented the first complete computerized county administration program in the state; and was responsible for many projects that benefited South Mississippi: Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, Biloxi Bay Bridge, Port Bienville / Stennis Airport, Industrial Seaway , Hattiesburg and Long Beach Industrial Park, senior centers across South Mississippi and industrial trade between countries, just to name a few. Les was also recognized nationally and internationally as an innovative leader in the field of planning and development. He was a lifelong member of the Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for his distinguished service within the Pine Burr Area Council. He will be missed by his wife, Pat; sons, Ben Newcomb (Nancy), Dan Newcomb (Michelle), and daughters Honey Adams (Dave), Barri VanCoulter, Laura Newcomb Alford, Elizabeth Lukes (Jon); and fourteen grandchildren; brothers, Harold Newcomb, Don Newcomb, Jerry Newcomb, Morris Newcomb; and sister, June Burton. Visitation will be held Monday, January 9, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport. The funeral service is Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home chapel where friends may visit one hour before the service. Interment follows in Society Hill Cemetery in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to Boy Scouts of America, Pine Burr Area Council, 1318 Hardy Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com