Gene Warr

Gene Warr, age 86 of Gulfport, passed away on Saturday, September 11, 2021.

Noah Gene Warr was born on July 3,1935 in Center, Texas. His extraordinary life spanned 86 years during which he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and mentor as well as a business and community leader.

The son of hard-working farmers, Gene was raised singing in churches around East Texas. His love for Southern Gospel music led him to an early professional career as tenor with the renowned Stamps Baxter Quartet and a tour as tenor with the Rushing Family.   He later formed a pop group with his brother Al and two childhood friends, Aubie McSwain and James Wilson, which became The Four Mints. The quartet performed to great acclaim at the finest venues across the nation, including the famed Palace Theater and Copacabana in New York, the Sands in Las Vegas and the major supper clubs of the era.

Gene settled on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with his family and promptly set about making the world a better place for everyone he encountered. He always held the highest regard for his first mentor Reverend Jimmy Jones of Center, owner of Dad and Lad’s Men’s Clothing store. Gene worked for Rev. Jones throughout high school and college at Stephen F. Austin and University of Texas. This work led him to a love of beautiful clothing and more importantly developed his gift for encouraging people to be their best. In 1964, he opened Gene Warr’s Men’s Shop in Edgewater Mall in Biloxi. For over 35 years the store served as his base of operations for many endeavors, as well as a launch for the The Village Drummer 1969 and Warr’s Men Clothing in 1986. Gene was one of the founding directors of both the Jefferson Bank and the Coast Community Bank. An entrepreneur in the truest sense, he and son, Brent, developed Warr Properties, a commercial and multifamily real estate investment company.

Gene’s leadership and civic service to the MS Gulf Coast began with the Biloxi Planning Commission where he served for 21 years, 19 as the chairman. Over many decades he was actively involved in the Biloxi and Gulfport Chambers of Commerce and served as a director of both as well as Chairman of the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce.  He was one of the founders of Coast 21, which later became the Gulf Coast Business Council. Gene was also honored to serve on the Board of Directors of: Mississippi Power Company (20 years), Coast Community Bank, Gulf Regional Planning Commission, Gulf Coast Medical Center, Mississippi Economic Council, Central Harrison County Utility District, the Mississippi Ethics Commission, and the American Heart Association. One of his proudest achievements was receiving The Spirit of the Coast award in 1999.

Gene was an active member of First Baptist Church of Gulfport for over 60 years. As an usher, his was the first smiling face visitors and members encountered as he welcomed them. He led the music for his beloved “Scrap Iron” Sunday School class for over 50 years.

Mr. Warr is survived by Kay, his wife of 63 years, son Brent Warr and wife Laura, daughter Gena Cook and husband Daniel, grandchildren Brighton and Kathryn Cook, Emma and Noah Warr, many beloved nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. Preceding him in death are his parents, Robert and Annie Lee Warr and brothers, Henry Earl, Robert Oren and Alden Lee Warr.

With the assurance that we will be together again, he would like everyone to know that “He is fine, Thanks to Calvary”.

The family would like to thank Southern Care Hospice, The Blake in Biloxi, Your Choice Senior Care, and The Claiborne in Gulfport. We also thank Sharon Thornton for her excellent care.

In lieu of flowers donation to;

The Parkinson’s Foundation

or

Gulf Coast Community Ministry

3914 15th St. Gulfport. 39501

The funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM, Friday, September 24, 2021, at First Baptist Church, Gulfport, with a visitation from 1:30 PM until the service.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport is serving the family.