Norman Joseph Duplain

Norman Duplain, 80, of Biloxi, died at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport on September 21, 2010. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3:00 on Friday, Sept. 24, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi, with visitation at 2:00, prior to the service.
A native of Biloxi, Norman was born on August 8, 1930, to the late Laurent Duplain and Marie Louise Duplain Savoy. As a boy he served at the altar at Saint Michael's Catholic Church. He graduated from Biloxi High School where he lettered four years in football, basketball, and track and was named best ""Best Boy Athlete."" An All Big Eight running back, Norman also set a state record and won the Mississippi State Championship in the 440 yard dash. He was later inducted into the Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame.
Norman earned a football scholarship to Mississippi State University where he lettered four years in football and track and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Norman remained an active member of the M Club and an enthusiastic Bulldog fan for the rest of his life. He is best remembered for an 85 yard record kick-off return in honor of his daughter's birth, and he was a member of State's SEC record-setting Mile Relay Team. In 1997 the All American Football Foundation presented Norman the ""Unsung Hero Award.""
Norman received his degree in General Education in 1953 and was commissioned into the Army where he served as a paratrooper with the distinguished 508 Airborne Regimental Combat Team. He quarterbacked his Army post team to three championships, and was named to the All-Army Team three times. As Coach and Captain of the Post Rifle Team, Norman won two ""Excellence in Marksmanship Awards"" (LEGS), and led his soldiers to a National Championship.
After his service, Norman operated successful businesses in Belzoni, where he is still fondly remembered for his smooth moves on the dance floor. When Camille struck in 1969, Norman's love of Biloxi and her people led him to spear-head the Delta's efforts to donate and deliver truckloads of supplies. In the 1970's he returned to Biloxi, as owner and operator of Hugo's Restaurant, and he later helped bring gaming to the Coast as Executive Host for the President Casino.
An outstanding golfer, Norman won numerous golf tournaments including two Humphreys County Country Club Championships, the Annual Yugoslavian Invitational Championship in Biloxi, the Gold Medal Classic in Las Vegas, the American Cancer Golf Tournament in Orlando, FL, and six Mississippi Senior Olympic Championships. A devoted member of the Elks Club and the Fleur de Lis Society, Norman loved to play pool and cards and enjoyed entertaining friends and family with card tricks and sleight of hand.
When Katrina struck, Norman, at age 75 and enjoying retirement, stepped up again and used his ingenuity and culinary skills to provide hot meals to his neighbors as they rebuilt their homes. The City of Biloxi recognized his efforts with a Certificate of Appreciation. Through adversity and joy, Norman is most remembered by his family and friends for his ready grin, his wonderful Cajun cooking, and his fierce loyalty to those he loved.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Christy Duplain Ware, his son-in-law, Delaney Ware, of Clinton, and stepdaughter Carol Ann Welch and her husband Mark. Survivors include his wife, Lavada Duplain; daughter, Mary Love Wynne and her husband Larry of Alexandria, VA; stepdaughter Cheryl Glover and her husband Billy of Memphis, TN; stepson Jimmy Ellis and his wife Gwen of Biloxi; grandchildren Regan Wynne of Los Angeles, CA; Elizabeth Landers of Springfield, VA; Christian Ware and his wife Mindy of Clinton; and Brandon Ware of Virginia Beach, VA; step-grandchildren Kim Madigan, Carey Welch, and Michael McEachern, a great-grandson, and two step-great-granddaughters.
The family appreciates the outpouring of prayers and support and wishes to thank the doctors and staff at Memorial for the wonderful care and kind attention that was shown to Norman over the past weeks. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Vincent de Paul of Our Lady of Fatima.