BILOXI -- Gus Stevens, 86, died Tuesday, March 10, 1998, in Gulfport.
Mr. Stevens was born in Chester, Pa., May 30, 1911. He formerly owned two restaurants in Pritchard, Ala., and in 1946 moved to Biloxi where he was a restarateur and nightclub owner. In 1993 he received the Laurel Wreath Award. Other honors include: Chef of the Coast by the Coast Restaurant and Beverage Association in 1986; Outstanding Restaurateur in 1984 by the Gulf Coast Restaurant Association; colonel and aide de camp by former Governor Bill Waller; honored by the Lions Club International in 1971. He served as president of the Mississippi Restaurant Association three times.
Survivors include his wife, Irene Mitchell Stevens of Biloxi; two daughters, Elaine Stevens of San Diego and Kathryn Roberts of Mobile; a son, Steve Stevens of Panama City Beach, Fla.; a brother, Ted Stevens, of Mobile; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 tonight at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Pass Road, Biloxi with a prayer service at 7. A service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Biloxi where friends may call one hour before the service. Burial will be at Southern Memorial Park, Biloxi.
The family prefers memorials to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 255 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, MS 39531.
(Sun Herald, The (Biloxi, MS) March 13, 1998, Page:A7)
****
ENTERTAINMENT PIONEER GUS STEVENS DIES ENTREPRENEUR BROUGHT PIZZAZZ TO THE COAST
Gus Stevens, an 86-year-old Coast entertainment pioneer, died Tuesday, and with him ends a fascinating pre-casino era that brought the likes of Rudy Vallee, Dave Gardner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Andy Griffith, Jayne Mansfield, Mel Torme and other big names of the 1950s and 1960s to the Coast.
For his vision in pushing for the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center and for his legendary efforts in Coast entertainment, Stevens received the coveted Laurel Wreath Award in 1993.
He was remembered as a little man with big ideas.
''The Coast will miss him,'' said John Mladinich, who was a good friend and competitor with his family's own nearby Fiesta club and restaurant. ''Gus was a likeable guy with a Mediterranean personality -- always full-speed.
''He brought a lot of badly needed good entertainment to the Coast. He told me that when he first came to the Coast he smelled the sweet oleanders and that's what made him decide to stay.''
The American-born Greek businessman died after a long illness. He is credited with bringing vision, energy and focus to Coast entertainment, particularly through his Gus Stevens' Seafood Restaurant and Buccaneer Supper Club in Biloxi -- known by locals as simply ''Gus Stevens'.''
He bought his first restaurant on Central Beach in 1946, only to have it destroyed by the 1947 hurricane. The next year he bought a barbecue drive-in on the Biloxi Strip at Veterans Boulevard, which would become the site of his famous supper club. People came from North Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana just to see his shows.
The last performance of Jayne Mansfield -- the best remembered of his VIP guests -- was at Gus Stevens'. She died in a car crash en route to New Orleans after the show.
The supper club closed in 1975. Stevens himself explained, ''This is an era that you will never see again. People are more conservative nowadays. Who can afford to go out four nights a week with prices the way they are?''
In his glory days, Stevens had a truck with speakers on top and traveled from Memphis to Lake Charles to promoting his entertainment.
His energy and innovation is what is remembered most. For his efforts to bring a convention center and all its related tourist dollars, some called him Mr. Coliseum.
''Gus was very instrumental in bringing the Coast Coliseum and Convention Center project together,'' said Bill Holmes, Coliseum executive director. ''When they were making plans, the meetings were held at his place, and he covered the expenses to get the local and political support that the project needed.
''This man, even a few years ago in failing health, was always talking about bigger ideas. He was a visionary, and I had so much respect for him in that manner.''
In addition to the supper club, Stevens owned several other businesses, including a Long Beach hotel with singer Johnny Rivers and a Gus Stevens No. 2 on Henderson Point, which was destroyed by Hurricane Betsy, rebuilt then destroyed by fire in 1967. But his come-back spirit perservered.
The club for which he became famous included among its entertainers Coast favorites like The Four Mints, as well as exotic dancers. He is credited with bringing the Biloxi Strip, noted for its clubs and restaurants, into its own.
He was born Gus Stevens Kouvarakis in 1911 in Philadelphia, Pa., but his family moved to the Greek island of Patmos when he was 4. At 18, he moved back to the United States and made his first visit to the Coast.
Sixteen years later, he bought his first restaurant here.
Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Gulfport did not have complete information about survivors or funeral services.
(Sun Herald, The (Biloxi, MS) March 11, 1998, Page: A9)∼
BILOXI -- Gus Stevens, award-winning restaurateur, famous nightclub owner, energetic community leader and beloved husband and father, died Tuesday, March 10, 1998, at Gulfport Memorial Hospital after a lengthy Illness. He was 86.
Gus Stevens was born in Chester, Pa., May 30, 1911, to Steve and Katherine Kouvarakis. Because of his mother's failing health, the family moved to Patmos Island, Greece, when Stevens was four. In 1930 the family returned to the United States and eventually settled in Mobile, where Stevens began what would become a restaurant career that spanned sixty years.
During the depression, he moved to Houston, where he completed his education by going to night school and working fifteen hours a day in the restaurant business. In 1939 it was the Navy that changed the life of Gus Stevens Kouvarakis -- and his name. It was during his service in the Navy that the name Gus Stevens was born. After a brief stint back in Houston, Stevens opened the White Palace Cafe and the Juicy Pig in Pritchard, Ala., and then in 1946 moved to Biloxi. He married Gulfport native, Irene Mitchell in October of that year.
Gus Stevens maintained a deep and lasting love for the Mississippi Gulf Coast which endured for over fifty years. That love was, evident by his commitment to the community. He was recognized many times for his numerous accomplishments and contributions.
In 1993 he received the Laurel Wreath Award, presented each year by Magnolia Federal Bank for significant contributions to the Gulf Coast.
Other honors include: Chef of the Coast by the Coast Restaurant and Beverage Association in 1986; Outstanding Restaurateur in 1984 by the Gulf Coast Restaurant Association; colonel and aide de camp by former Governor Bill Waller; honored by the Lions Club International in 1971.
He served as president of the Mississippi Restaurant Association three times. His accomplishments include starting the practice of building offshore fishing reefs and getting liquor legalized on the Coast.
However, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum is considered to be Gus Stevens' greatest accomplishment. When his vision of building a facility to attract conventions and major entertainers finally became a reality in 1977 after a fifteen year effort, Gus Stevens became known as ''Mr. Coliseum.'' There is a meeting room in the facility dedicated in his honor.
In addition to his wife of fifty-one years, Irene Mitchell Stevens of Biloxi, he is survived by two daughters, Elaine Stevens of San Diego, California and Kathryn Roberts of Mobile, AL; one son, Steve Stevens of Panama City Beach, Florida; a son-in-law, Robin C. Roberts of Mobile; three grandchildren, Chris Strompolos of Los Angeles, California, Jennifer Roberts of Hattiesturg, MS, and Alexa Roberts of Mobile; and a brother, Ted Stevens of Mobile, AL.
Visitation will be held at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Pass Road, Biloxi, Friday, March 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Services will be held Saturday, March 14, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Biloxi, at 11 a.m. where friends may visit one hour before the service. Burial will be at Southern Memorial Park, Biloxi.
The family prefers donations to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 255 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, MS 39531.
The Sun Hearld 1998
Mr. Stevens was born in Chester, Pa., May 30, 1911. He formerly owned two restaurants in Pritchard, Ala., and in 1946 moved to Biloxi where he was a restarateur and nightclub owner. In 1993 he received the Laurel Wreath Award. Other honors include: Chef of the Coast by the Coast Restaurant and Beverage Association in 1986; Outstanding Restaurateur in 1984 by the Gulf Coast Restaurant Association; colonel and aide de camp by former Governor Bill Waller; honored by the Lions Club International in 1971. He served as president of the Mississippi Restaurant Association three times.
Survivors include his wife, Irene Mitchell Stevens of Biloxi; two daughters, Elaine Stevens of San Diego and Kathryn Roberts of Mobile; a son, Steve Stevens of Panama City Beach, Fla.; a brother, Ted Stevens, of Mobile; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 tonight at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Pass Road, Biloxi with a prayer service at 7. A service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Biloxi where friends may call one hour before the service. Burial will be at Southern Memorial Park, Biloxi.
The family prefers memorials to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 255 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, MS 39531.
(Sun Herald, The (Biloxi, MS) March 13, 1998, Page:A7)
****
ENTERTAINMENT PIONEER GUS STEVENS DIES ENTREPRENEUR BROUGHT PIZZAZZ TO THE COAST
Gus Stevens, an 86-year-old Coast entertainment pioneer, died Tuesday, and with him ends a fascinating pre-casino era that brought the likes of Rudy Vallee, Dave Gardner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Andy Griffith, Jayne Mansfield, Mel Torme and other big names of the 1950s and 1960s to the Coast.
For his vision in pushing for the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center and for his legendary efforts in Coast entertainment, Stevens received the coveted Laurel Wreath Award in 1993.
He was remembered as a little man with big ideas.
''The Coast will miss him,'' said John Mladinich, who was a good friend and competitor with his family's own nearby Fiesta club and restaurant. ''Gus was a likeable guy with a Mediterranean personality -- always full-speed.
''He brought a lot of badly needed good entertainment to the Coast. He told me that when he first came to the Coast he smelled the sweet oleanders and that's what made him decide to stay.''
The American-born Greek businessman died after a long illness. He is credited with bringing vision, energy and focus to Coast entertainment, particularly through his Gus Stevens' Seafood Restaurant and Buccaneer Supper Club in Biloxi -- known by locals as simply ''Gus Stevens'.''
He bought his first restaurant on Central Beach in 1946, only to have it destroyed by the 1947 hurricane. The next year he bought a barbecue drive-in on the Biloxi Strip at Veterans Boulevard, which would become the site of his famous supper club. People came from North Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana just to see his shows.
The last performance of Jayne Mansfield -- the best remembered of his VIP guests -- was at Gus Stevens'. She died in a car crash en route to New Orleans after the show.
The supper club closed in 1975. Stevens himself explained, ''This is an era that you will never see again. People are more conservative nowadays. Who can afford to go out four nights a week with prices the way they are?''
In his glory days, Stevens had a truck with speakers on top and traveled from Memphis to Lake Charles to promoting his entertainment.
His energy and innovation is what is remembered most. For his efforts to bring a convention center and all its related tourist dollars, some called him Mr. Coliseum.
''Gus was very instrumental in bringing the Coast Coliseum and Convention Center project together,'' said Bill Holmes, Coliseum executive director. ''When they were making plans, the meetings were held at his place, and he covered the expenses to get the local and political support that the project needed.
''This man, even a few years ago in failing health, was always talking about bigger ideas. He was a visionary, and I had so much respect for him in that manner.''
In addition to the supper club, Stevens owned several other businesses, including a Long Beach hotel with singer Johnny Rivers and a Gus Stevens No. 2 on Henderson Point, which was destroyed by Hurricane Betsy, rebuilt then destroyed by fire in 1967. But his come-back spirit perservered.
The club for which he became famous included among its entertainers Coast favorites like The Four Mints, as well as exotic dancers. He is credited with bringing the Biloxi Strip, noted for its clubs and restaurants, into its own.
He was born Gus Stevens Kouvarakis in 1911 in Philadelphia, Pa., but his family moved to the Greek island of Patmos when he was 4. At 18, he moved back to the United States and made his first visit to the Coast.
Sixteen years later, he bought his first restaurant here.
Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Gulfport did not have complete information about survivors or funeral services.
(Sun Herald, The (Biloxi, MS) March 11, 1998, Page: A9)∼
BILOXI -- Gus Stevens, award-winning restaurateur, famous nightclub owner, energetic community leader and beloved husband and father, died Tuesday, March 10, 1998, at Gulfport Memorial Hospital after a lengthy Illness. He was 86.
Gus Stevens was born in Chester, Pa., May 30, 1911, to Steve and Katherine Kouvarakis. Because of his mother's failing health, the family moved to Patmos Island, Greece, when Stevens was four. In 1930 the family returned to the United States and eventually settled in Mobile, where Stevens began what would become a restaurant career that spanned sixty years.
During the depression, he moved to Houston, where he completed his education by going to night school and working fifteen hours a day in the restaurant business. In 1939 it was the Navy that changed the life of Gus Stevens Kouvarakis -- and his name. It was during his service in the Navy that the name Gus Stevens was born. After a brief stint back in Houston, Stevens opened the White Palace Cafe and the Juicy Pig in Pritchard, Ala., and then in 1946 moved to Biloxi. He married Gulfport native, Irene Mitchell in October of that year.
Gus Stevens maintained a deep and lasting love for the Mississippi Gulf Coast which endured for over fifty years. That love was, evident by his commitment to the community. He was recognized many times for his numerous accomplishments and contributions.
In 1993 he received the Laurel Wreath Award, presented each year by Magnolia Federal Bank for significant contributions to the Gulf Coast.
Other honors include: Chef of the Coast by the Coast Restaurant and Beverage Association in 1986; Outstanding Restaurateur in 1984 by the Gulf Coast Restaurant Association; colonel and aide de camp by former Governor Bill Waller; honored by the Lions Club International in 1971.
He served as president of the Mississippi Restaurant Association three times. His accomplishments include starting the practice of building offshore fishing reefs and getting liquor legalized on the Coast.
However, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum is considered to be Gus Stevens' greatest accomplishment. When his vision of building a facility to attract conventions and major entertainers finally became a reality in 1977 after a fifteen year effort, Gus Stevens became known as ''Mr. Coliseum.'' There is a meeting room in the facility dedicated in his honor.
In addition to his wife of fifty-one years, Irene Mitchell Stevens of Biloxi, he is survived by two daughters, Elaine Stevens of San Diego, California and Kathryn Roberts of Mobile, AL; one son, Steve Stevens of Panama City Beach, Florida; a son-in-law, Robin C. Roberts of Mobile; three grandchildren, Chris Strompolos of Los Angeles, California, Jennifer Roberts of Hattiesturg, MS, and Alexa Roberts of Mobile; and a brother, Ted Stevens of Mobile, AL.
Visitation will be held at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Pass Road, Biloxi, Friday, March 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Services will be held Saturday, March 14, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Biloxi, at 11 a.m. where friends may visit one hour before the service. Burial will be at Southern Memorial Park, Biloxi.
The family prefers donations to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 255 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, MS 39531.
The Sun Hearld 1998
BILOXI -- Gus Stevens, 86, died Tuesday, March 10, 1998, in Gulfport.
Mr. Stevens was born in Chester, Pa., May 30, 1911. He formerly owned two restaurants in Pritchard, Ala., and in 1946 moved to Biloxi where he was a restarateur and nightclub owner. In 1993 he received the Laurel Wreath Award. Other honors include: Chef of the Coast by the Coast Restaurant and Beverage Association in 1986; Outstanding Restaurateur in 1984 by the Gulf Coast Restaurant Association; colonel and aide de camp by former Governor Bill Waller; honored by the Lions Club International in 1971. He served as president of the Mississippi Restaurant Association three times.
Survivors include his wife, Irene Mitchell Stevens of Biloxi; two daughters, Elaine Stevens of San Diego and Kathryn Roberts of Mobile; a son, Steve Stevens of Panama City Beach, Fla.; a brother, Ted Stevens, of Mobile; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 tonight at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Pass Road, Biloxi with a prayer service at 7. A service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Biloxi where friends may call one hour before the service. Burial will be at Southern Memorial Park, Biloxi.
The family prefers memorials to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 255 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, MS 39531.
(Sun Herald, The (Biloxi, MS) March 13, 1998, Page:A7)
****
ENTERTAINMENT PIONEER GUS STEVENS DIES ENTREPRENEUR BROUGHT PIZZAZZ TO THE COAST
Gus Stevens, an 86-year-old Coast entertainment pioneer, died Tuesday, and with him ends a fascinating pre-casino era that brought the likes of Rudy Vallee, Dave Gardner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Andy Griffith, Jayne Mansfield, Mel Torme and other big names of the 1950s and 1960s to the Coast.
For his vision in pushing for the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center and for his legendary efforts in Coast entertainment, Stevens received the coveted Laurel Wreath Award in 1993.
He was remembered as a little man with big ideas.
''The Coast will miss him,'' said John Mladinich, who was a good friend and competitor with his family's own nearby Fiesta club and restaurant. ''Gus was a likeable guy with a Mediterranean personality -- always full-speed.
''He brought a lot of badly needed good entertainment to the Coast. He told me that when he first came to the Coast he smelled the sweet oleanders and that's what made him decide to stay.''
The American-born Greek businessman died after a long illness. He is credited with bringing vision, energy and focus to Coast entertainment, particularly through his Gus Stevens' Seafood Restaurant and Buccaneer Supper Club in Biloxi -- known by locals as simply ''Gus Stevens'.''
He bought his first restaurant on Central Beach in 1946, only to have it destroyed by the 1947 hurricane. The next year he bought a barbecue drive-in on the Biloxi Strip at Veterans Boulevard, which would become the site of his famous supper club. People came from North Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana just to see his shows.
The last performance of Jayne Mansfield -- the best remembered of his VIP guests -- was at Gus Stevens'. She died in a car crash en route to New Orleans after the show.
The supper club closed in 1975. Stevens himself explained, ''This is an era that you will never see again. People are more conservative nowadays. Who can afford to go out four nights a week with prices the way they are?''
In his glory days, Stevens had a truck with speakers on top and traveled from Memphis to Lake Charles to promoting his entertainment.
His energy and innovation is what is remembered most. For his efforts to bring a convention center and all its related tourist dollars, some called him Mr. Coliseum.
''Gus was very instrumental in bringing the Coast Coliseum and Convention Center project together,'' said Bill Holmes, Coliseum executive director. ''When they were making plans, the meetings were held at his place, and he covered the expenses to get the local and political support that the project needed.
''This man, even a few years ago in failing health, was always talking about bigger ideas. He was a visionary, and I had so much respect for him in that manner.''
In addition to the supper club, Stevens owned several other businesses, including a Long Beach hotel with singer Johnny Rivers and a Gus Stevens No. 2 on Henderson Point, which was destroyed by Hurricane Betsy, rebuilt then destroyed by fire in 1967. But his come-back spirit perservered.
The club for which he became famous included among its entertainers Coast favorites like The Four Mints, as well as exotic dancers. He is credited with bringing the Biloxi Strip, noted for its clubs and restaurants, into its own.
He was born Gus Stevens Kouvarakis in 1911 in Philadelphia, Pa., but his family moved to the Greek island of Patmos when he was 4. At 18, he moved back to the United States and made his first visit to the Coast.
Sixteen years later, he bought his first restaurant here.
Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Gulfport did not have complete information about survivors or funeral services.
(Sun Herald, The (Biloxi, MS) March 11, 1998, Page: A9)∼
BILOXI -- Gus Stevens, award-winning restaurateur, famous nightclub owner, energetic community leader and beloved husband and father, died Tuesday, March 10, 1998, at Gulfport Memorial Hospital after a lengthy Illness. He was 86.
Gus Stevens was born in Chester, Pa., May 30, 1911, to Steve and Katherine Kouvarakis. Because of his mother's failing health, the family moved to Patmos Island, Greece, when Stevens was four. In 1930 the family returned to the United States and eventually settled in Mobile, where Stevens began what would become a restaurant career that spanned sixty years.
During the depression, he moved to Houston, where he completed his education by going to night school and working fifteen hours a day in the restaurant business. In 1939 it was the Navy that changed the life of Gus Stevens Kouvarakis -- and his name. It was during his service in the Navy that the name Gus Stevens was born. After a brief stint back in Houston, Stevens opened the White Palace Cafe and the Juicy Pig in Pritchard, Ala., and then in 1946 moved to Biloxi. He married Gulfport native, Irene Mitchell in October of that year.
Gus Stevens maintained a deep and lasting love for the Mississippi Gulf Coast which endured for over fifty years. That love was, evident by his commitment to the community. He was recognized many times for his numerous accomplishments and contributions.
In 1993 he received the Laurel Wreath Award, presented each year by Magnolia Federal Bank for significant contributions to the Gulf Coast.
Other honors include: Chef of the Coast by the Coast Restaurant and Beverage Association in 1986; Outstanding Restaurateur in 1984 by the Gulf Coast Restaurant Association; colonel and aide de camp by former Governor Bill Waller; honored by the Lions Club International in 1971.
He served as president of the Mississippi Restaurant Association three times. His accomplishments include starting the practice of building offshore fishing reefs and getting liquor legalized on the Coast.
However, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum is considered to be Gus Stevens' greatest accomplishment. When his vision of building a facility to attract conventions and major entertainers finally became a reality in 1977 after a fifteen year effort, Gus Stevens became known as ''Mr. Coliseum.'' There is a meeting room in the facility dedicated in his honor.
In addition to his wife of fifty-one years, Irene Mitchell Stevens of Biloxi, he is survived by two daughters, Elaine Stevens of San Diego, California and Kathryn Roberts of Mobile, AL; one son, Steve Stevens of Panama City Beach, Florida; a son-in-law, Robin C. Roberts of Mobile; three grandchildren, Chris Strompolos of Los Angeles, California, Jennifer Roberts of Hattiesturg, MS, and Alexa Roberts of Mobile; and a brother, Ted Stevens of Mobile, AL.
Visitation will be held at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Pass Road, Biloxi, Friday, March 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Services will be held Saturday, March 14, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Biloxi, at 11 a.m. where friends may visit one hour before the service. Burial will be at Southern Memorial Park, Biloxi.
The family prefers donations to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 255 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, MS 39531.
The Sun Hearld 1998
Mr. Stevens was born in Chester, Pa., May 30, 1911. He formerly owned two restaurants in Pritchard, Ala., and in 1946 moved to Biloxi where he was a restarateur and nightclub owner. In 1993 he received the Laurel Wreath Award. Other honors include: Chef of the Coast by the Coast Restaurant and Beverage Association in 1986; Outstanding Restaurateur in 1984 by the Gulf Coast Restaurant Association; colonel and aide de camp by former Governor Bill Waller; honored by the Lions Club International in 1971. He served as president of the Mississippi Restaurant Association three times.
Survivors include his wife, Irene Mitchell Stevens of Biloxi; two daughters, Elaine Stevens of San Diego and Kathryn Roberts of Mobile; a son, Steve Stevens of Panama City Beach, Fla.; a brother, Ted Stevens, of Mobile; and three grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 tonight at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Pass Road, Biloxi with a prayer service at 7. A service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Biloxi where friends may call one hour before the service. Burial will be at Southern Memorial Park, Biloxi.
The family prefers memorials to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 255 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, MS 39531.
(Sun Herald, The (Biloxi, MS) March 13, 1998, Page:A7)
****
ENTERTAINMENT PIONEER GUS STEVENS DIES ENTREPRENEUR BROUGHT PIZZAZZ TO THE COAST
Gus Stevens, an 86-year-old Coast entertainment pioneer, died Tuesday, and with him ends a fascinating pre-casino era that brought the likes of Rudy Vallee, Dave Gardner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Andy Griffith, Jayne Mansfield, Mel Torme and other big names of the 1950s and 1960s to the Coast.
For his vision in pushing for the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center and for his legendary efforts in Coast entertainment, Stevens received the coveted Laurel Wreath Award in 1993.
He was remembered as a little man with big ideas.
''The Coast will miss him,'' said John Mladinich, who was a good friend and competitor with his family's own nearby Fiesta club and restaurant. ''Gus was a likeable guy with a Mediterranean personality -- always full-speed.
''He brought a lot of badly needed good entertainment to the Coast. He told me that when he first came to the Coast he smelled the sweet oleanders and that's what made him decide to stay.''
The American-born Greek businessman died after a long illness. He is credited with bringing vision, energy and focus to Coast entertainment, particularly through his Gus Stevens' Seafood Restaurant and Buccaneer Supper Club in Biloxi -- known by locals as simply ''Gus Stevens'.''
He bought his first restaurant on Central Beach in 1946, only to have it destroyed by the 1947 hurricane. The next year he bought a barbecue drive-in on the Biloxi Strip at Veterans Boulevard, which would become the site of his famous supper club. People came from North Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana just to see his shows.
The last performance of Jayne Mansfield -- the best remembered of his VIP guests -- was at Gus Stevens'. She died in a car crash en route to New Orleans after the show.
The supper club closed in 1975. Stevens himself explained, ''This is an era that you will never see again. People are more conservative nowadays. Who can afford to go out four nights a week with prices the way they are?''
In his glory days, Stevens had a truck with speakers on top and traveled from Memphis to Lake Charles to promoting his entertainment.
His energy and innovation is what is remembered most. For his efforts to bring a convention center and all its related tourist dollars, some called him Mr. Coliseum.
''Gus was very instrumental in bringing the Coast Coliseum and Convention Center project together,'' said Bill Holmes, Coliseum executive director. ''When they were making plans, the meetings were held at his place, and he covered the expenses to get the local and political support that the project needed.
''This man, even a few years ago in failing health, was always talking about bigger ideas. He was a visionary, and I had so much respect for him in that manner.''
In addition to the supper club, Stevens owned several other businesses, including a Long Beach hotel with singer Johnny Rivers and a Gus Stevens No. 2 on Henderson Point, which was destroyed by Hurricane Betsy, rebuilt then destroyed by fire in 1967. But his come-back spirit perservered.
The club for which he became famous included among its entertainers Coast favorites like The Four Mints, as well as exotic dancers. He is credited with bringing the Biloxi Strip, noted for its clubs and restaurants, into its own.
He was born Gus Stevens Kouvarakis in 1911 in Philadelphia, Pa., but his family moved to the Greek island of Patmos when he was 4. At 18, he moved back to the United States and made his first visit to the Coast.
Sixteen years later, he bought his first restaurant here.
Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Gulfport did not have complete information about survivors or funeral services.
(Sun Herald, The (Biloxi, MS) March 11, 1998, Page: A9)∼
BILOXI -- Gus Stevens, award-winning restaurateur, famous nightclub owner, energetic community leader and beloved husband and father, died Tuesday, March 10, 1998, at Gulfport Memorial Hospital after a lengthy Illness. He was 86.
Gus Stevens was born in Chester, Pa., May 30, 1911, to Steve and Katherine Kouvarakis. Because of his mother's failing health, the family moved to Patmos Island, Greece, when Stevens was four. In 1930 the family returned to the United States and eventually settled in Mobile, where Stevens began what would become a restaurant career that spanned sixty years.
During the depression, he moved to Houston, where he completed his education by going to night school and working fifteen hours a day in the restaurant business. In 1939 it was the Navy that changed the life of Gus Stevens Kouvarakis -- and his name. It was during his service in the Navy that the name Gus Stevens was born. After a brief stint back in Houston, Stevens opened the White Palace Cafe and the Juicy Pig in Pritchard, Ala., and then in 1946 moved to Biloxi. He married Gulfport native, Irene Mitchell in October of that year.
Gus Stevens maintained a deep and lasting love for the Mississippi Gulf Coast which endured for over fifty years. That love was, evident by his commitment to the community. He was recognized many times for his numerous accomplishments and contributions.
In 1993 he received the Laurel Wreath Award, presented each year by Magnolia Federal Bank for significant contributions to the Gulf Coast.
Other honors include: Chef of the Coast by the Coast Restaurant and Beverage Association in 1986; Outstanding Restaurateur in 1984 by the Gulf Coast Restaurant Association; colonel and aide de camp by former Governor Bill Waller; honored by the Lions Club International in 1971.
He served as president of the Mississippi Restaurant Association three times. His accomplishments include starting the practice of building offshore fishing reefs and getting liquor legalized on the Coast.
However, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum is considered to be Gus Stevens' greatest accomplishment. When his vision of building a facility to attract conventions and major entertainers finally became a reality in 1977 after a fifteen year effort, Gus Stevens became known as ''Mr. Coliseum.'' There is a meeting room in the facility dedicated in his honor.
In addition to his wife of fifty-one years, Irene Mitchell Stevens of Biloxi, he is survived by two daughters, Elaine Stevens of San Diego, California and Kathryn Roberts of Mobile, AL; one son, Steve Stevens of Panama City Beach, Florida; a son-in-law, Robin C. Roberts of Mobile; three grandchildren, Chris Strompolos of Los Angeles, California, Jennifer Roberts of Hattiesturg, MS, and Alexa Roberts of Mobile; and a brother, Ted Stevens of Mobile, AL.
Visitation will be held at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Pass Road, Biloxi, Friday, March 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Services will be held Saturday, March 14, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Biloxi, at 11 a.m. where friends may visit one hour before the service. Burial will be at Southern Memorial Park, Biloxi.
The family prefers donations to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 255 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, MS 39531.
The Sun Hearld 1998
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