Joseph "Leroy" Urie

Joseph “Leroy” Urie, Past Harrison Country Supervisor (1975-1985), Past Mayor of Gulfport (1985-1989).

Joseph “Leroy” Urie, a lifelong resident of Gulfport, MS has passed away peacefully at home on, Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the age of 95.

Leroy was born to Frederick Theodore “Fred” Urie Sr. and Annie McIntosh Urie on October 13, 1930. Leroy, the youngest of five siblings, helped his family with their charter boat which included riding out the 1947 Hurricane on the boat. He graduated from Gulfport High School in 1949. He played football, both offensive and defensive right guard, through high school and was named All State Honorable Mention.

Leroy attended Perkinson Junior College on a football scholarship. While there, he met his wife, Trixie Mullin. In 1951, he left college and enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was selected to attend the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School. In 1952, Leroy received a fleet appointment to go to the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Business.

After graduating, Leroy went on to work with IBM, Ingalls Shipbuilding and Mississippi Power Company. In1965, Leroy and Trixie went on to open Mercury Air Conditioning Company, Inc, and continued to run the company until retiring in 1997.

Leroy was elected to the Harrison County Board of Supervisors of Beat Two in 1975 and re-elected for two additional terms. He was elected Mayor of Gulfport in 1985 and served until 1989. During his time as mayor, Leroy was a part of the transition period when the city moved from the commission form of government to the mayor-council form being used today. Towards the end of his mayoral time, the first gambling cruise docked in the Port of Gulfport that paved the way to casinos as we know them today.

Leroy was associated with the Gulfport Jaycees, Gulfport Elks Lodge, Southwest Chapter of the Navy League, Gulf Coast Chapter of the Mississippi State Alumni Association, Harrison County American Cancer Society, Gulfport Rotary Club, Gulf Coast Conservation Association, Harrison County Economic Development Commission. He was also a member of the Gulfport Yacht Club, Gulfport Small Craft Harbor Boat Owners Association, Bayou Bluff Tennis Club, the Courthouse Road Racquet Club, and the Krewe of Gemini. He was also one of the founders of the Very Special Fishing Rodeo and a member of the Gulfport Centennial Committee.

Leroy and Trixie were married on June 14, 1953, and enjoyed 67 years together surrounded by their five daughters, family, and close friends. Leroy had always maintained an active role in the city and would always be seen with Trixie at his side. They traveled all over the United States and around the world together. Leroy was also an active tennis player and enjoyed going on fishing trips to the Chandelier Islands.

Leroy was a member of the Nourishing Place in Gulfport, MS.

Leroy was proceeded in death by his wife, Trixie M Urie (2021); his parents, Frederick “Fred” Urie Sr. (1967) and Annie McIntosh Urie (1971); siblings, Elizabeth Urie (1916), Frederick “F.T.” Urie Jr (1987), Claude Urie (1986), Charles Urie (1998), Louise Urie Ball (2012).

He is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth “Lisa” Urie Buckley, Lynne Urie Bragg (David), Margaret “Maggie” Urie Wright Wack (Bill-decd.), Phyllis Urie Miller (Craig), and Nancy Urie Pacher; 8 grandchildren, William “Buck” Buckley (Elan), Jason Pacher (Becca), Wayne Bragg, Megan Wright Prichard (Neil), Sarah Bragg Marusich (Chris), Katye Miller McGinnis (Mike), Amber Miller Ramirez (Efrain), Christina “Chrissy” Miller; 12 great-grandchildren, J. R. Buckley, Jewel Buckley, Addy Pacher, Brantley Pacher, Brooklyn Pacher, Molly Kate Pacher, Logan Marusich, Riley Marusich, Cameron Miller, Isabella “Izzy” Centifanto, Tony Sandoval, and Trixie McGinnis; and honorary daughter, Beth Shanks.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Vital Care Home Health and Hospice and Rolenia Wiggins for their for their special care during their time of need.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street, Gulfport, where friends may visit beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Gulfport.

Memorials may be made to the Gulfport Historical Society, 1419 27th Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501, or one’s favorite charity.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the family of Joseph “Leroy” Urie.