Frank Philip Wittmann III

Frank P. Wittmann III “Wink”, age 88, of Pass Christian died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Monday, April 29, 2024.  

Frank was born in Gulfport on September 4, 1935. He grew up in Pass Christian, MS, the eldest son of Frank P. Wittmann, Jr. and Julia Reeves Wittmann. He attended St. Joseph Elementary School and graduated high school from St. Stanislaus, Bay St. Louis, class of 1953. Frank spent a year at Perkinston Jr. College before joining the Marine Corp in 1954. He served three years in the Marine Corp which included a year in Okinawa, Japan. While in Okinawa Frank received a championship medal in Judo. Upon completing his military service, he returned home to continue his education in electrical engineering. Frank attended LSU for one year where he played catcher for the Tiger’s baseball team. He transferred to Mississippi State

University where he earned a B. S. degree in electronic/electrical engineering in May 1960.   

Upon graduation, Frank joined Hughes Aircraft Engineering Co. in Fullerton, California.  He was assigned the task of working for the Western European Defense System in Germany.  In 1964 he joined the Space Division of North American Rockwell Corp. in New Orleans, LA.  Frank worked on the Saturn Stage II of the rocket engine for moon landing in 1969. He joined the National Marine Fishery Service, Stennis Space Center as a remote sensing engineer. Frank was responsible for tracking marine life over several countries: England; Scotland; and, multiple countries South America and Africa. Additionally, with the assistance of his friend, Jimmy Bradley, he tracked two loggerhead sea turtles throughout the Gulf of Mexico.  He lovingly named the two turtles, Alice and Dian (Bradley).

While working full-time and raising his children, Frank continued his education and earned his Juris Doctorate from Loyola University graduating in 1970. In 1971, following his graduation from law school, he was able to move his family back to his beloved Pass Christian, Ms. Frank began practicing law in Gulfport, MS in 1971.

Frank was President of Pass Christian Parks and Recreation Commission, Pass Christian Rotary Outstanding Citizen 1982, served on Board of Directors P.C. Chamber of Commerce, President of St. Paul School Board and Member of St. Paul Parish. He acted as Pass Christian City Attorney and City Prosecutor under Mayor Gordon Bishop. He was appointed Pass Christian Municipal Judge, serving on the bench forty-one years before retirement.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank P. Wittmann, Jr. and Julia Reeves Wittmann; two brothers, Kenneth C. Wittmann and Bertrand “Corky” Wittmann; a little sister Margaret “Peggy” Wittmann; and his beloved best friends, Charlie, Lala, Buck and Gerald.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Alice Gentile Wittmann and his five children: Elizabeth “Beth” Casey (Shawn), Julia Guneau (Jim), Theresa St. Mary (Todd), F. Philip Wittmann IV, and Heather Black (Elliott). He is also survived by his ten grandchildren: G. Lee Howard, Jr., Greta Miller, Erin Casey White (Graham), Madeline Casey, Whitney St. Mary Stevens (Philip), Alden St. Mary, Carter St. Mary, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Black, F. Philip Wittmann V, and Eva Clair Reeves Wittmann; Dena Wittmann (mother of F. Philip and Eva): four great-grandchildren: Ila Howard, George Remington White “Remy”, Miriam White, and Matthew Stevens.  

 Frank was a devout Catholic with a life-long dedication to Catholic education. Through sacrifice and commitment, he and his wife Alice educated all five children in the Catholic school system.  His legacy continued through the ten grandchildren who have all graduated from either St. Stanislaus or Our Lady Academy Catholic School.  His great grandchildren currently attend Our Mother of Mercy, Baton Rouge, LA., and the youngest great will attend St. Vincent Catholic elementary.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Notre Dame Hospice, especially Summer Bauer, his nurse, and Fanta, his care giver. The family expresses special affection for Rachelle from Home Instead for her tender care and attention. The family also expresses appreciation to Deacon Vrazel for his spiritual blessings throughout his extended illness.  

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Live Oak Cemetery, Pass Christian, MS. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15^th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Wittmann family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to your favorite charity or to the endowment fund at his beloved St. Stanislaus or the Wittmann Tuition Assistance Scholarship at Our Lady Academy, Bay St. Louis, MS.