Peter “Mex” Kuljis/Kuljis Oil Dock

Peter Tony Kuljis was born in Biloxi, in 1916, to Luka Kuljis and Tadica Pitalo Kuljis. In his early years, he worked alongside his father Luka and uncle Sam Kuljis aboard the schooner CAVALIER.

After graduating from Biloxi High School, Peter attended Perkinston Junior College where he helped the football team win their first championship. From there, Peter would attend the University of Mississippi majoring in pharmacy. But this would not be his only career as he inherited his father's business, Kuljis Oil Dock which would later become Kuljis Seafood, Oil and Ice Company. This operation would own a fleet of nine shrimp boats, one of which was the TONI JO ANN, named for one of his two daughters he shared with Verna Mae Cannette whom he married in 1940.

Peter was very proud of both his community and Croatian heritage. He was a member of the Slavonian Benevolent Association, a member of the Biloxi School Board served as a duke to his brother Joseph who reigned as King of the Gulf Coast Carnival Association in 1956.

Peter, known to friends as “Mex”, would serve as chairman on the Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet committee for 17 years and was honored as the Biloxi Shrimp King in 1978.

Peter Kuljis passed away in 1983 at the age of 67.