Ellis Salloum

Ellis Salloum, longtime Gulfport businessman, died Wednesday, December 2015 in Biloxi. At 92 years of age, he was a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast and a well-recognized member of the community.
Mr. Salloum was preceded in death by his father George Salloum; his mother Fadwa Salloum; brother Edward Salloum; and his sisters, Melvina LaCroix (Claiborne); Sadie Marie Hage (Philip); Evlyn Antoon (Edward); Georgia Bertucci (Bert); and Gladys Newman (Holyne).
He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Sandra Davis Salloum; his daughter, Vanessa Salloum; his sons, Ellis John Salloum, MD,(Jenny) and George Thomas Salloum, MD, (Meloney). His surviving siblings are Gloria Newman (Sam) and Kaleel Salloum (Barbara)
Ellis was an honor graduate of Gulfport High School and an officer in his class every year. He was a proud member of the GHS football team and loved relating stories of the team going to Ottawa, Canada for a game. Upon high school graduation, Ellis received a football scholarship to the University of Mississippi where he played under Coach Mehre for two years. His education at Ole Miss was interrupted by World War II, at which time, he and many of his classmates took the patriotic path and enlisted. After his military service, Ellis returned to Ole Miss and graduated with a degree in Business. During his college years, he was affiliated with Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity where he made friends that have remained close until this day.
Upon graduation, Ellis was eager to begin his career in retail clothing, following in the footsteps of his father, older brother and cousins on the coast. He quickly took ownership of a dress shop in Baton Rouge. As his business was growing, his sense of duty was tested again with the death of his older brother Edward in Gulfport. Ellis chose family loyalty and returned to Gulfport to assume direction of his brother's established business in women's clothing. In 1957, his younger brother Kaleel joined him and together they built a thriving retail business that endured for another fifty-nine years. Ellis loved Gulfport and the Gulfport business community and was always one its strongest advocates.
Throughout the years, Ellis was an enthusiastic member of the Gulfport Retail Merchants Association and the Mississippi Retail Merchants Association. At various times, he served as president of the local group. He was also a member of the Gulfport Lions Club and the Gulfport Gridiron Club and held offices in both, including president.
Ellis' two greatest devotions in life were to his Catholic faith and his family. His actions throughout life were always first measured by his strong love of God.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 28, 2015 at 11:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Gulfport, with a visitation for family and friends from 9:30 AM until the Mass. Burial will follow at Southern Memorial Park Mausoleum.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd., Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.