Clyde Samuel Bosarge Sr

Mr. Clyde Samuel Bosarge, Sr., 89, of Pascagoula, MS passed away at home on September 13,
2024. Clyde was born in Pascagoula on August 17, 1935, to the late Samuel Delmar Bosarge and
Sylvia Rose Bosarge.

Clyde graduated from Pascagoula High School in 1955. To say he was a football standout would be
an understatement. He began his varsity football career in 8 th grade and lettered 5 years in varsity
football. In 1954, he was the only Jackson County football player selected for the All Big 8, where he
played first string guard and linebacker. Clyde was considered by many PHS football followers to be
one of the best lineman to have ever played at PHS. He was inducted into the Pascagoula Athletic
Hall of Fame in 2016 for his outstanding football skills.

When Clyde was in the 8 th grade, he met the love of his life, Barbara (Larsen) Bosarge. As high
school sweethearts at PHS, Clyde and Barbara held many titles, including Mr. and Miss PHS, PHS
Senior Class Favorites and PHS Homecoming King & Queen. But nothing could compare to their
favorite title of all: Nana and Papa.

Clyde received scholarship offers from Mississippi State, LSU, Tulane, Georgia Tech and many
others, but chose to attend Perkinston Junior College to be near home and the love of his life,
Barbara. After playing football at Perk, Clyde returned to Pascagoula to start his family. After a brief
stint of working at Ingalls Shipbuilding, he turned to the sea to embark on his career in the fishing
industry. After all, Clyde was born with salt water in his veins. He started by shrimping on his small
boat and then moved on to fishing for Quaker Oats Company. When the Quaker Oats Company
closed down, he returned to shrimping, working in the waters of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and
Texas. Since shrimping is seasonal, Clyde also built an oyster shop in Bayou Cumbest, Captain
Clyde’s Seafood, which operated during the 1960’s. In 1978, Clyde designed and built a 68’ steel hull
shrimp boat named Ole Faithful and in 1986 he built a 46’ tugboat aptly named The Battler.
While Clyde was most widely known for his achievements on the football field and on the water, his
proudest achievement was the loving home and family he and Barbara created. We are all going to
miss the twinkle in his blue eyes and his mischievous wink. You knew you were loved by Papa when
he called you “Babe.”

Clyde and Barbara married in 1955 and went on to have four children, the late Clyde Bosarge, Jr.
(Ruth), Steven Bosarge (Sandra), Jenny Harmon (Doug), and Russell Bosarge. They were blessed
with ten grandchildren, Nick Harmon (Laura), Leann Foots (Joseph), Stephanie Bosarge (Nat),
Cassie Edwards (Cory), Shawn Bosarge, Jennifer Henry (Donovan), Jessica Taylor (John Paul),
Justin Bosarge (Chynna), Nathan Bosarge (Stephanie), and Claire Curwick (Brandon). They were
further blessed with 22 great-grandchildren.

He is predeceased by his parents, his oldest son, Clyde Junior, and his sisters, Francis Williams and
Ida Rose Yocum. He is survived by his devoted wife of 69 years, Barbara; his children, Steven, Jenny
and Russell; his brothers, Gary Bosarge and Norman Bosarge; a host of nieces and nephews; and
his dear friend, Terry “Smut” Vice. His family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the
wonderful staff at Singing River Hospital and Deaconess Home Health. Papa, you will be missed more than you will ever know...

Visitation will be Monday, September 16, 2024 at O'Bryant-O'Keefe Funeral Home from 5:00pm-6:30pm. Funeral Service will follow in the chapel at 6:30pm. Pallbearers will be Nathan Bosarge, Shawn Bosarge, Justin Bosarge, Nick Harmon, Joseph Foots, John Paul Taylor, Nathaniel Duvall, Donovan Henry.

May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face; and may the wings of destiny carry
you aloft to dance with the stars. Give Clyde Jr. a hug and kiss from all of us. We will see you in every
sunset and feel you in every sea breeze.

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