Former Gulfport mayor George Schloegel dies

Former Gulfport mayor and Hancock Bank President George Schloegel has died.

Schloegel died at his home in Gulfport. He was 83.

He was born in Gulfport and attended LSU. He began working at Hancock Bank in 1956, taking a break in 1959 to attend school. He worked at Whitney Bank in New Orleans for two years before returning to Hancock Bank, where he rose through the ranks to serve as its president from 1990 to 2009.

He stepped down from his role at Hancock Bank to serve one term as mayor of Gulfport from 2009 to 2013.

Present Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes called Schloegel “an icon worthy of emulation.”

“As a civic leader, George had no equal, devoting endless time and energy for the betterment of a community he dearly loved,” Hewes said. “He always saw what was possible, engaging on all fronts to find common ground to bring about better opportunities, to all.

“As a business leader, he made community service a hallmark of his career, instilling those values in his family and employees, providing leadership at national, state, and local levels.  A true ambassador for Mississippi’s Gulf Coast.”

Former Sun Herald publisher Ricky Mathews interviewed Schloegel last month in what was probably the last interview he gave before he died.

“He was the personification of a leader. He always found a way to give back to the community,” Mathews said. “You never retire when you’re a servant leader.

“At the end of the day, he felt it was his obligation to do his turn as mayor of Gulfport.”

Schloegel married Peggy Harry in 1959 and together they raised four children, Matthew, Melissa, Mark and Michael.

This is a developing story. We will have more information as it becomes available.