Tex Locklar

Tex Locklar, 74, of Biloxi, MS died on Wednesday, February 16, 2011. Tex was born in New Brockton, AL on April 7, 1936 to Donald and Ruth Locklar. He was the eldest of three children. In 1943, his family moved to Kenner, LA. He graduated from Kenner High School in 1954. He then attended Louisiana State University, where he graduated 7th in his class in mechanical engineering with an aero option in January 1959. A month later on February 1, 1959, he married the love of his life, Josette. He worked as a mechanical engineer, an aeronautical engineer, and a nuclear engineer. He worked on the B52 ejection seat at Convair in Fort Worth, Texas before moving to Ingalls in Pascagoula. He entered the nuclear submarine program as a Shift-Test Engineer. He joined his wife in the 1980's as the owner/business manager of Josette's. He worked as the financial guru while she concentrated on the creative aspects. He remodeled the old Borden's building on Howard Avenue and became the master of many trades in the process. He would be the first to tell you that his greatest accomplishment was his three children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. He spent the last three years working part time while enjoying his farm and his family until his spirit got too big to stay in his body. Tex was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega engineering fraternity, the Mississippi Mechanical Engineers Assocation and the National Costumers Assocation. He was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Dedeaux Parish in Pass Christian, MS and Nativity B.V.M. Parish in Biloxi, MS. Tex is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Josette; his 3 children, Kathy Deaton, Eric Locklar and Jacob Locklar; his brother, Henry Locklar; his sister, Norma Nettles; his 7 grandchildren, and his 2 great-grandsons. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that tributes be made to the Sacred Heart Dedeaux Building Fund, 14595 Vidalia Rd., Pass Christian, MS 39571-8332 or the Patrick F. Taylor Hope Lodge, 2609 River Rd., New Orleans, LA 70121. A Mass of Christian burial will be on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral. Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until mass time. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.