Page 95 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2016

Biloxi Shrimp King has family seafood industry tradition
story by Raines Rushin photos by James Edward Bates
This year’s Shrimp King, Frank Parker, works hard aboard the Fair Maiden.
said of his time at the wheel of a research vessel. “Working with the Research Lab really opened my eyes to what I wanted to do more than anything. I thought about being a marine biologist but I knew I really wanted to be a shrimper. That’s when I left the Lab and bought the Fair Maiden in 1999.”
Among the exhibits of the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum in Biloxi are framed photographs and brass plaques of the families — including Parker’s — who built the Biloxi seafood industry. In some photos, the white curves of the Fair Maiden can be seen.
“When they asked me to be King, I didn’t want to do
it because I didn’t think I was old enough,” Parker said. “What finally made it easy to accept the honor was what it represents to me and the city. I’ve always been proud to be from Biloxi. It’s my history and my heritage. Now, not only
is Biloxi part of my history, I’m part of Biloxi’s history. I want my grandkids to walk into that museum and see my name and picture on the wall.”
Parker and his wife, Becky, are the parents of Katelyn, Patrick, and twins Frank and Jessie who are growing up not far down the road from Oak Street. The next generation is learning as well. Patrick will join him on the first trip of the season this year. Frank and Jessie are already learning their own way. “I’m about positive Jessie’s gonna be a shrimper,” Parker said. “He wears white shrimp boots everywhere... school, the store, church. Everywhere.”
WE ARE THE #1 RAM TRUCK AND JEEP WRANGLER DEALER ON THE COAST!
2016 Ram 1500 Crew Cabs
$10,000IN P TO
SAVINGS
U
2016 Jeep Wrangler 2Dr & 4Dr
$27,999
STARTING AT
CELEBRATING OVER 40 YEARS SERVING THE GULF COAST
CY 2015, Savings includes $3000 BH savings + $5000 rebates + $2000 Crown Disc. Plus TT&L.
2707 Shortcut Rd. • Pascagoula, MS SALES 888-431-3652 SERVICE 888-396-3167
PARTS 866-251-2272 www.crown247.com
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
July 2016 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 95