The mayor of Diamondhead has died. ‘He was a tireless advocate for the city.’
Diamondhead Mayor Tommy Schafer died on Friday in Louisiana from surgery complications, according to a release from the city manager.
“It is with great sadness to inform our residents that Mayor Thomas “Tommy” E. Schafer IV passed away on Friday July 31, 2020 from surgery complications in Louisiana,” City Manager Michael J. Reso said in the release.
Schafer, 57, was elected the city’s mayor in 2013 and re-elected in 2017.
“Tommy was committed to the betterment of all residents of Diamondhead and loved serving the community,” Reso said. “He was a tireless advocate for the city and his dedication and leadership will be greatly missed.”
Schafer had surgery on July 21 and his wife informed Reso that there had been some complications with the procedure. The mayor was considered in serious condition at that time.
The Diamondhead News reported that the surgery was for a hip replacement.
Hancock County Supervisor Kodie Koenenn, who worked previously with Schafer as a city councilman, said he was shocked to hear the news on Friday.
“We knew he had surgery two weeks ago and it didn’t go so well,” Koennen said. “We’ve been praying daily and hoping for the best possible outcome. We knew he was in serious condition, but we were hoping he’d walk into a meeting a couple of months from now and life would go on.
“We’re a small community in Diamondhead. Everybody knows everyone. It’ll take a while. It’s tough. We don’t always understand the greater plan. We hope his family will get through this.”
Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes issued a statement on the death of his friend Friday afternoon.
“It is with great sorrow that we offer our deepest condolences to the family of Diamondhead Mayor Tommy Schafer,” Hewes said in the release. “Tommy was a fast friend and reliable colleague. His welcoming personality and upbeat approach in providing leadership to his community endeared him to many. Gone too soon, he will be missed on both a personal and professional level. May God rest his soul and bring peace and comfort to his family and friends.”
Pearl River County Econonomic Developer Blaine LaFontaine, who previously served as the president of the Hancock County Board of Supervisors, said on Friday that he always had respect for how Schafer went about his work.
“We had many vocal disagreements privately and publicly, but what I always appreciated was the next day we moved on and respected each other,” LaFontaine said in a Facebook post. “In a hyper political society, we often forget respect and the ability to find common ground. Tommy always made time to ask about my family and life, and often offered advice that I will surely miss.”
Schafer, who was the first and only mayor of Diamondhead, is survived by his wife, Camille, and daughter, Caroline.
A resident of Diamondhead since 1995, Schafer ran Schafer Equipment & Construction for 13 years prior to becoming mayor.
He graduated from Jesuit High School and the University of Mississippi with a degree in public administration.
“He’s been our only mayor and he did a good job of trying to lead us into a new age of being a city,” Koennen said.
This story was originally published July 31, 2020 at 2:11 PM.
