Paul James Hermetz

Mr. Paul James Hermetz, age 70, a resident of Gulfport, died on Sunday, June 18, 2006. Mr. Hermetz grew up in Foley, AL., but was a resident of Gulfport for 36 years. He was a 1960 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. He was the general manager of Gayfers at Edgewater for 25 years and a regional manager for the Gayfers Stores Group. He enjoyed playing golf, reading, visiting with his grandchildren and watching sports on TV. Mr. Hermetz was very active in St. Matthew Lutheran Church, serving as president several times and on the board of elders. He was an active board member of the Harrison County Heart Association and a board member of the Cheshire Home. He was also an active supporter of the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra. In past years he served as president of the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Edgewater Civitan Club. Through his position at Gayfers he was able to be a supporter of many arts projects on the Mississippi Coast and always helped organizations when asked. Mr. Hermetz is preceded in death by his mother and father, Josephine and Anthony Hermetz. He is survived by Ginny, his wife of 44 years, a daughter Rebecca Caldwell and her husband Thurman of Senatobia, MS., three sons, Andy Hermetz, Danny Hermetz & his wife Tina of Gulfport and Kevin Hermetz & his wife Christina of Atlanta. His nine grandchildren are Erin, Conor, Ashton, Amory, Kell, Martin, Thurman,Jr., Lela & Eason. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home on O’Neal Road in Gulfport from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be on Thursday, June 22, 2006 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church at 1301 31st Avenue in Gulfport at 10:00 a.m., with a brief visitation at 9:00 a.m. Burial will be at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 1301 31st Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501, the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 638, Gulfport, MS 39502 or a charity of your choice.