Leroy Lizana

Mr. LeRoy Lizana, 84, passed away August 7, 2015 in Houston, TX following a lengthy illness. He was a lifetime member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Pass Christian.
LeRoy was preceded in death by his mother, Francis Pearson; his father, Loren Lizana; his brothers, Edward Lizana and E.L. Lizana; and his sisters, Lorraine Dewey, Dorothy Dauro, and Edna Ladner.
LeRoy is survived by his wife of 62 years Willa Dean (Parker) Lizana; his daughter, Elizabeth (Keith) Dore of Houston, TX; his son, John (CoCo) Lizana of Ocean Springs; and his grandchildren, Hannah and Whitney Dore, and Andre, Leo, Blake and Joy Lizana.
LeRoy was a lifelong resident of the Pass Christian community. He was born in Cuevas, MS on February 15, 1931. He received his Associate of Science Degree from Perkinston Junior College and earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Education Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.
LeRoy began his educational career in 1954 at Pass Christian High School where he served as Business Education Teacher, Bus Driver, High School Principal and Assistant Superintendent. Later he served as Federal Programs Coordinator and Assistant Superintendent for the Harrison County School District. He returned to Pass Christian Public School District in 1972 where he served 20 years as Superintendent of Education. In recognition of his years of service to the Pass Christian School District, the Central Office Complex was dedicated in his name. He retired in 1992 after completing 38 years in public education.
LeRoy received numerous awards and acclamations throughout his career. Foremost among these was the Pass Christian Outstanding Citizen Award in 1981 and the Outstanding Educator Award in 1988. He was recognized by the Executive Educator Magazine as one of the top 100 School Executives in North America in 1989.
LeRoy cherished the time he spent with his wife and family. His other interests included bird watching, fishing, researching genealogy, and watching the Saints.
LeRoy was a long time member and past president of the Pass Christian Rotary Club as well as an Honorary Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of the Service Corp of Retired Executives Association and district manager of the Mississippi District. He was a past president of the Pass Christian Chamber of Commerce and a life member of the Mississippi P.T.A.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2015 from 9:00 am until 11:30 am at Holy Family Catholic Church with a Mass of Christian Burial immediately following visitation. Interment will follow at Gulf Pines Cemetery in Long Beach.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations to the Pass Christian Rotary Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 88, Pass Christian, MS 39571.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Rd., Long Beach, is in charge of arrangements. The online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com