Roland J. "Brother" Creel,

Mr. Roland Joseph Creel, Jr., 89, (affectionately known as “Brother Creel”) went to be home with his heavenly Father, Tuesday, September 4, 2012. He died peacefully at his home surrounded by his large and loving family. Roland was born October 2, 1922, in Biloxi, Mississippi, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roland Joseph (Helen Blahowic) Creel, Sr. He was a member of Saint John Catholic Church Parish where he was strongly influenced by his faith that inspired him to active participation in his parish. An altar boy, he served daily mass, returned home to make breakfast and take it to his mother working in the factory. He then delivered his route of daily newspapers before classes at Saint John Elementary School. Roland was an outstanding student, well liked and respected by his peers and teachers. A literal genius in all mathematics, he was called on to solve math problems as well as to teach the class. He could recite by rote pages of text and when quizzed would state the page number of the answer. After graduation from Sacred Heart Academy, he worked on his father’s shrimp boat, doing what he loved. Living in the Back Bay area was an idyllic and adventurous life for him, growing up around and on the water and boats. His lifetime chosen career began to take shape at age six when he started going on shrimping trips for enjoyment with his father during the summer months. In later years he would become a crew member. Roland met his wife of 68 years, Marie Augusta Fayard, in 1939. It was, he would say, love at first sight. On New Year’s Day 1942, they were married at St John. He served in World War II in the United States Army. After his return to the states, their growing family resided in Biloxi on Reynoir Street and then Bayview Avenue and they belonged to St. John Parish. They made a new home in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, following the loss of their Biloxi home during Hurricane Katrina. With his wife, he shared his faith with their children and was dedicated to their Catholic education-at home, church and school. He attended mass and prayer devotions with his family and joined in their bible reading and praying the rosary. Roland had a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Blessed Mother. Taught by the Sisters of Mercy, he remained dedicated to them, as well as to the parish priests. He shared his faith with others through example of innate kindness and generosity. Throughout his life he had a keen sense of humor and loved nothing better than making others happy and laugh. Roland was well known, respected and loved not only in his hometown of Biloxi, but from Louisiana to Florida. Through the years he formed strong and lasting friendships all along the Gulf Coast. He was popularly called a legend and King of the Shrimpers. A leader in the fishing industry, he designed a try trawl, opened up commercial catching of swordfish in Gulf waters, assisted the federal government with the study of sharks to rid them from Florida’s Gulf Coast, caught “mother shrimp” for commercial shrimp farming. His boat was the first to have a steel mast, uniquely he had mermaids painted on the bow of his boat, using blue paint instead of the traditional red, orange or green. He kept meticulous records on his numerous navigational charts detailing characteristics of the areas in which he fished. In 1977 he became the first King of the Shrimp Blessing whose father had also been Shrimp King. Roland was preceded in death by his beautiful beloved wife; his parents; maternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Francis Blahowic; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John (Aurelia Fayard) Creel; sisters, infant Margaret Creel and Alvera (John) Lawrence; brothers, Francis R. “Junius” (Euna) Creel and Lionel Ernest (Margaret) Creel; and his infant son, David Joseph Creel. Roland is survived by his six daughters, Bonnie Kay (Leo) Eleuterius, of Atlanta, Georgia; Nancy Lorraine (Charles M. “Marty”) Brazil, of Biloxi; Deborah Helen (Gary) Nickles, of Bella Vista, Arkansas; Ginger Marie Creel, of Ocean Springs; Jeannie Gayle (Stephen A., Sr.), Trochesset of Ocean Springs,; Tammy Rolanda (Jose G.) Alvarez, of Key Biscayne, Florida; his son, Roland Michael (Tricia) Creel¸ of Ocean Springs; 18 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson. The family extends special thanks to the nursing, technician and service staff of Biloxi Regional Medical Center, Odyssey Hospice Care and to Comfort Keepers. A special appreciation is given to Dr. Marion Wainwright for her kind and devoted care through the years. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to St. Vincent de Paul, 870 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, Mississippi 39530. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, September 8, 2012, at 11:00 A.M. at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Biloxi. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. until service time. Interment will follow at D’Iberville Memorial Park. Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.