Robert Gerald Mohler

Robert Gerald Mohler, Sr. or “Big M”, 95 years old, went to glory on Friday, July 29, 2016 at his home for the past 63 years in Gulf Hills. Robert was born on June 23, 1921 in Buffalo, NY to the late Robert Claude and Alberta Kew Mohler. Robert was baptized at the Methodist Church in Biloxi, MS. He graduated from Ocean Springs High School before attending MGCJC in Perkinston. After serving in the US Navy during WWII, he got his B.S. from Mississippi State University and his Masters in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. Robert married Verona Marion Fountain on August 15, 1953 at Nativity in Biloxi, MS. Robert trained as an aviation pilot with the US Navy and worked as an Air Traffic Control Instructor at Fort Bliss AFB in El Paso, TX and at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. While at Keesler he was given ladies to instruct but was told they would never pass. Not only did he help them pass but they gave him more ladies to instruct after that. Robert was an entrepreneur. He was partner in the Nash dealership in Biloxi, started the Spud- Nut/Tato-Nut in Ocean Springs, started the Tidy Car detail shop in Ocean Springs, and purchased the Texaco station at the corner of Washington and Porter Avenues in Ocean Springs. Robert walked onto the football field at MSU at 31 years of age and not only made the team but lettered in football. He played with the semi-pro football team, the Galloping Gales of Biloxi, and the Biloxi semi-pro baseball team. Robert loved antique cars, MSU athletics, root beer, poetry, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Robert is preceded in death by his son, Michael Paul Mohler; and grand-daughter, Sophia Marion Mohler; brothers, Bruce Kendall Mohler, Donald Earl Mohler and Stanley Howard Mohler; and sister, Marilyn Janet Mohler. Robert is survived by his bride of 62 years, Verona Marion Fountain Mohler; sons, Robert Gerald “Jerry” Mohler, Jr., Mark Kendall “Buzz” Mohler, Sr (Debbie Rivers), David Martin “Camp” Mohler (Theresa Tapper), Richard Kevin “Brick” Mohler, Guy Jeffery “Bitty” Mohler (Kathy Williams), and Gregory Scott Mohler; grandchildren, Mark Jr, Aaron (Christina Lagoudakis), Brandon, Shana, Chase (Erin Grimm), Trey (Gabby Gollott), Olivia, Blake, Jeremy, Katelynn, and Julianna; great-grandchildren, Alexa, Brody, Hallo, Canaan, Azlyn, Jax, and Kaisen; brother, Richard Hebert Mohler; sister, Shirley Anne Mohler Giafaglione; and sister-in-law, Shannon Fountain Mohler; and too many nephews and nieces to count. A memorial service of life will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs at 7pm. Visitation will be from 5-7 before the service. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Red Bird Mission, 70 Queendale Center, Beverly, KY 40913.