MGCCC Hall of Famer Don Massengale dies at 84
PERKINSTON — Don Massengale, a former Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Board of Trustees member and a member of the school's Athletic Hall of Fame, passed away Sunday, May 5, at the age of 84.
Donald B. Massengale Jr. was a member of the 1953 football team that went 7-3-1 and tied Copiah-Lincoln 6-6 in the Laurel Lions Bowl. The following season, he switched from fullback to center.
After college, he started working at Ingalls Shipbuilding, where he retired in 1994 as director of Industrial Relations Services. He joined the Mississippi National Guard in 1953 and rose to the rank of major before retiring in 1974. He was a passionate member of the MGCCC Alumni Association and the Bulldog Club and served on the Board of Trustees from 1989 to 2014, including a term as chairman in 2000-01.
The school honored him in 2004 with the Sam Owen Award, given annually to a person who has actively supported the college through dedication and service. He was inducted in the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009 and won the Spirit of Gulf Coast Award in 2014, given to someone who has made significant personal and/or financial contributions in support of Bulldog Athletics. He endowed the Don Massengale Scholarship, given to a Jackson County graduate and resident
Massengale was preceded in death by his parents, Donald B. Massengale Sr. and Marion Massengale, and brother, Henry Massengale. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Donna Taylor Massengale; sons, Marc (Becki) Massengale, Carl Massengale, and Kirk Massengale; daughter, Lynn Massengale; grandchildren, Jacob Tolliver, Mary (Tom) O'Keefe, Olivia Massengale, Luke Massengale, and Jesse Massengale; two beautiful great-granddaughters; brother-in-law and wife, Carl and Rita Taylor; and sister-in-law, Omigene Griffis. He also leaves to cherish his memory many nieces, nephews, and life-long friends.
The visitation will be held on Thursday, May 9, at Heritage Funeral Home in Moss Point from 10-11:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. James V. Miller officiating. Interment will be held at Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi at 1:30 p.m.
The family gratefully acknowledges the prayers of many friends and church congregations during his illness. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in memory of Donald to the donor's church of choice.
