Page 14 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2023

COAST NOTE
Ocean Springs native Ray Wesson, Jr. is this year’s YMCA John R. Blossman Humanitarian of the Year. The award banquet, begun in 2009, was the best ever.
“It’s the largest to date with over 80 sponsors, 700-plus attendees and more than $210,000 raised to support YMCA scholarships and community programs as we strive to be a YMCA for all ages and life stages,” said CEO Jara Miller.
Wesson says he was honored to win this award. “Knowing Mr. Blossman’s legacy of service, it’s humbling to think others see me in that light,” he said. “What I love about the Y is the belief that everyone – no matter who they are or where they’re from – deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
For 30 years, Wesson has been engaged in community service in nearly every Gulf Coast community. He has served as an executive officer and market president at BancorpSouth, The First, and BankPlus. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Mississippi State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama.
He has served on the Board of Directors for the Salvation Army, Gulf Coast Community Ministries, Home of Grace, Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA, Hancock Community Development Foundation, and Southern Mississippi Planning & Development District and has been an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics and the Boys and Girls Club. He and his wife, Morgan, have five children and five grandchildren.
“This year’s event was extra special because Scott Lemon was the Master of Ceremonies. Scott’s and Ray’s families were close friends as children,” Miller said. “Ray’s parents, Dr. Ray and Ann Wesson, died in the 1980 plane crash that killed the entire U.S. Olympic Boxing Team. Dr. Wesson was the team physician. Scott’s parents took the Wesson children into their home and Scott and Ray grew up as brothers.”
The John R. Blossman Humanitarian Award was created to recognize individuals who put their fellow man first. “Much of Mr. Blossman’s life was spent in service to organizations that positively impacted the lives of others,” Miller said. “This award and charity banquet raises awareness of the important role of the Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA.”
14 | January 2023
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
story by Lynn Lofton
photos courtesy of Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA
TOP: This year’s event raised more than $210,000 to support YMCA scholarships and community programs.
ABOVE LEFT: Ray Wesson, Jr. ABOVE RIGHT: Ray Wesson,
Jr. (left) receives the 2022 YMCA Humanitarian of the Year Award.