| Graduation Year | Class of 1978 |
| Date of Passing | Aug 02, 2008 |
| About | Lt Col Frederick Joiner Gaston, III, age 49 and a resident of Biloxi, MS, was killed in Gastonia, NC, on Saturday, August 2, 2008, as the victim of an armed robbery attempt. Lt Col Gaston graduated from Gulfport East High School in 1977. Upon receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1982, he became a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. He also earned a Master's Degree in telecommunications from USM. After serving on active duty at Langley AFB, VA, and Keesler AFB, MS, he continued in the active reserve of the USAF and was commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel. At the time of his death, he was traveling to Washington, DC, to fulfill his active duty requirements in the USAF. He is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Angela, and a son William Lee, both of Biloxi; a daughter, Melissa Davis, her husband, Chris Davis, and granddaughter, Naomi Davis, all of Metairie, LA; his parents, Frederick and Michiko Gaston, Sr.; a sister and brother, Anne Gaston and F. William Gaston, Jr., and three nephews, all of Gulfport, Lt Col Gaston was currently serving as a deputy for the Jackson County Sheriff at the time of his death. He joined the Moss Point, MS, Police Department as an officer in early 2007 and served as the Interim Police Chief for Moss Point from January to late June of 2008. He was a Gulfport police officer for 17 years before leaving in early 2007 as a lieutenant. For most of his years as a police officer he had been intensely involved in educational and enforcement programs targeting prevention of alcohol abuse by drivers. Immediately after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, DC, his Air Force Reserve Unit headquarters called him into special active duty to assist with physical security planning because of his valuable law enforcement expertise. In his diversified roles as a communications officer with the Air Force and his law enforcement service, he took full advantage of all his knowledge and experience by using his knowledge in all areas to provide the most comprehensive and optimal solutions to all his endeavors. He used his computer skills to help move the Gulfport Police Department into the computer age for all patrolmen. Frederick had also provided his service for security detail at Barnes and Noble bookstore. He believed in serving and protecting to provide everyone with a safer community. He had an uncanny knack for working with people to promote harmony in diverse communities, as evidenced by his work with Curly Clark, the Jackson County NAACP President. Frederick believed strongly in serving and protecting his local community and was planning on running again for a Harrison County Justice Court Judgeship. Lt Col Frederick J. Gaston, III, was buried on August 9, 2008, at the National Cemetery in Biloxi, with full military honors rendered by the United States Air Force. |
