Gary Hargrove

Gary Thomas Hargrove, age 64 of Gulfport, passed away on Friday, January 17, 2020.

Gary was married with two children and six grandchildren.

He was a lifelong resident of Gulfport and graduated from Gulfport High School in 1973 and  from MS Gulf Coast Jr. College in 1990. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of MS in Criminal Law.  Gary also attended Louisiana State University for Fire Science and was an Instructor of Forensic Science at the University of South Alabama.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hayward and Jerry “Sue” Hargrove; his grandparents, Hayward Brickley Hargrove, Doris Minor, Augustus Woodcock, Mabel Woodcock, and Van Ladnier.

Gary is survived by his wife of 45 years, Susan; his daughters, Samantha Smith (Clay) and Danielle Collier (Nick); his grandchildren, Ostynn Collier, Ashlynn Collier, Tarynn Collier, Connor Robertson, Tyler Robertson, and Riley Ann Hargrove; and his brother, Samuel Jackson.

In 1975, Gary joined the Gulfport Fire Department and retired as a District Chief in 1996. During that time, he was also employed part time with Mobile Medic Ambulance Service from 1975 until 1985, part time with Harrison County Sheriff’s Department from 1987 until 1995, and a Harrison County Deputy Coroner from 1985 until 1995.

Gary became a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic in 1980, MS State Certified Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic in 1980, MS State Certified Death Investigator in 1987, completed a 40 Hour Basic Law Enforcement Course in 1989, and completed the FBI Basic Death Investigation Course.

He was a member of the MS Coroner’s Association from 1985 until Present, MS Division of IAI, MS Civil Defense Emergency Management Association, MS Deputy Sheriff’s Association, MS State Trooper’s Association, and MS Child Death Review Team.

In 1996, he was elected Harrison County Coroner and served until his retirement in 2020.  He was a member of the MS Coroner’s Association, where he served as Secretary/Treasurer for 3 years, Vice President for 3 years, and President for 3 years. Gary was the first Deputy Coroner when state law changed in 1986.  He was also in the first Paramedic class in the State of MS from 1979 until 1981.

Gary attended the Mass Fatality Incident Response Planning at Kirkwood College in 2006, Hurrevac Training, FEMA and US Army Corp of Engineers in 2006, Disaster Management Interoperability Service, Department of Homeland Security, Grief Following Trauma, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inside the Tape, International Association of Identification MS Division, Death Investigation Conference, MORA, Threat and Risk Assessment Course, Dept. of Homeland Security State and Local Government Coordination Preparedness, Incident Commander of DMORT for Harrison and Hancock County in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, MS Governor’s Homeland Security Conference in 2006, Natural Hazards Day, MS Emergency Management Agency in 2005, WMD Incident Management/Unified Command, Texas Engineering Extension Service, Disaster 101, MS Emergency Management Agency in 2006, National Incident Management System, NIMS/ICS 100-200 Train the Trainer MS Office of Homeland Security, National Incident Management System, NIMS/100,200,300,700,702,800, and 1900, Emergency Management Institute, FEMA, Alabama/MS Hurricane Workshop-2006/2007, MS Mortuary Response Team Chairman, Certified Emergency Manager Level III, NIMS/ICS All Hazards Incident Commander, and Security Detail for US Presidents, George Bush and Gerald Ford.

He will truly be missed by all that knew and loved him.

Memorial donations made be made to the Gary T. Hargrove Scholarship Fund for Forensic Science, PO Box 2188, Gulfport, MS 39505.

A visitation for friends and family will be held from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM, Thursday, January 23, 2020, at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport.  A graveside service will follow at Evergreen Gardens Cemetery, Gulfport.

An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com .