Darryl Breckenridge

"It’s a boy!” may have been the sign announcing the birth of Darryl Breckenridge to Cornelia Price Breckenridge in Hattiesburg MS on September 16, 1939.

If so, it would have been painted by Darryl's father, Robert Arthur Breckenridge, in his own sign shop. The art and calligraphy of his professional sign painter father was to guide young Darryl through the rest of his life.

 Darryl inherited his father’s artistic abilities. They stood him in good stead throughout his career — in the graphic design firm of McQuillan and Breckenridge in Biloxi, Miss., and as vice president of Marketing at Hancock Bank for 16 years.

Among the logos familiar to Coastians, Darryl was responsible for the Sun Herald newspaper, Coast Chamber of Commerce, Biloxi’s Elliot Jewelry, Partners in Education Gulfport Schools, and of course, the evolution of the Ship Island Lighthouse design as the Hancock Bank logo.

Darryl received the PRAM Silver Award for a lifetime of professional career service.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, and was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity there.

An avid sailor, Darryl skillfully plied the waters of the Mississippi Sound, and was never happier than when he captained his sailboat, SeaScape. He was a member of the Gulfport Yacht Club.

Darryl’s artistic nature drew him to hobbies as a photographer and musician, and he enjoyed playing the guitar. He also was deeply interested in the history of South Mississippi. 

He was a member and supporter of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi, as well as the Gulfport Rotary Club.

Darryl Breckenridge died Oct. 18, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Left to cherish the many memories he left them are his wife of 48 years, Amanda Rogers Breckenridge; children, Lisa (Mike) Rosenthal, Amy (Don) Chizk, Hadley (Brian) Breckenridge-Stanger and Shannon Saucier; siblings, Zoe (Emile II) Petro, Neil Breckenridge and brother-in-law Aaron Morishita; grandchildren, Sophie (Carter) Camp, Sydney (Preston) Durham, Natalie Rosenthal, Jillian Rosenthal and Mason (Georgi) Chizk; niece, Penny (Joe) Clark; nephew, Emile (Jill) Petro III; and great-grandchildren, Silas Breckenridge; Ellias, Emery and Lucy Durham; and Winnie Camp.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Craig Dawkins, Dr. Allison Wall, VitalCaring Co, and Jim Miller.

A Celebration of Life is set for Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at2:00 p.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street, downtown Gulfport, Miss. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service by Reverend Rachel Benefield-Pfaff of The Nourishing Place. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Breckenridge family.

Donations in Darryl’s name may be directed to American Red Cross, 100 Peartree Lane, Raleigh NC 27610 (please write “Disaster Relief” in memo line). Or, donations to the Gulfport Museum of History may be made through the Historical Society of Gulfport, P.O. Box 662, Gulfport MS 39502.

Rest in Peace. Rise in Glory.