Donald Anthony Catchot

Donald Anthony Catchot, 81, passed away peacefully at his home early on Saturday, February 13, 2016. Donald was born in Ocean Springs on September 5, 1934, to Anthony “Tony” Felix Catchot and Euta Annette Redden Catchot. He graduated from Ocean Springs High School, where he played football, baseball and basketball for the Greyhounds. In 1953, Donald and his future wife, Annie Lee McMurtray Catchot, were voted “Cutest Couple” by the senior class. They married on November 29, 1953, in what was one of the most widely attended wedding ceremonies the town had ever seen. Following graduation, Donald played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and Brooklyn Dodgers. Upon returning to Ocean Springs he worked at Ingalls Shipbuilding in a management position for 16 years before establishing his own paint contracting company with his brother, Robert “Bob” Catchot. An expert fisherman, Donald spent countless hours on the Gulf and regularly won local fishing tournaments. He was also an avid tennis player at the Treasure Oaks Country Club earlier in his life. Donald was a well-known member of the community and a dedicated family man who enjoyed vacationing in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with his wife, daughters and grandchildren. He was an active member of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church. The Knights of Columbus named Donald “Knight of the Year” in 2004. Donald is survived by his wife of 62 years Annie Lee, siblings Gay Lemien, Toni Blackmon (Arnold), Angus Catchot (Kathy), Milton Catchot (Diana) and Frances Boney (John). He is also survived by four daughters, Dianne Catchot, Donna Catchot Burtt (Steve), Cathy Catchot and Leigh Catchot Migues (Vito) and his nine grandchildren, Ashley Phillips Housley (Decker), Dustin Gemmill, Brandon Phillips (Jen), Lindsey Phillips Abernathy (Andrew), Alisha Gemmill Wise (Chris), Brooklyn Gemmill, Anthony Migues, Melaina Migues, and Selena Migues. Donald has three great-grandchildren, Bridger Housley, Quill Housley and Wryker Wise. He is preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Euta, and brother Robert “Bob” Catchot. A visitation will be held at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Ocean Springs on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 11 a.m. Friends may visit from 10 a.m. until mass time. Burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Ocean Springs.