David Mohler baked thousands of fresh doughnuts daily as the owner of a legendary business on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Passing away on January 12, 2021, following a battle with COVID-19, Mohler meant so much to his sea of customers at the Tatonut Donut Shop in downtown Ocean Springs. His many admirers mourn the loss of a dear friend with a big heart for his Gulf Coast community.
     “His big heart came out of a family rooted and entrenched in the local community for decades,’’ says first cousin Keith Mohler, an Orange Beach, Alabama resident. It reflects the “teachings of his parents and his faith in God. He gave back out of the blessings he received.’’
     Whether the Biloxi native was baking chocolate glazed donuts, King Cake donuts or brewing gourmet coffees, his sweet specialties at the bright yellow store were unsurpassed. “The home of the only real donut,’’ was his store’s motto. And happy customers making purchases year-round felt that billing was on target with their taste buds. The Mississippian was recognized for having “The Best Donut’’ in the Magnolia State by several organizations.
     “I grew up eating donuts,’’ Keith Mohler says. While moving away to South Alabama to pursue the real estate business, he’s a regular visitor to Ocean Springs to see family and friends. And that meant stops at the donut shop along Government Street.
      His cousin was definitely a hands-on owner. It wasn’t unusual for him to report to work shortly after midnight. “David made every donut in the shop.’’ Keith Mohler said. “He was the nicest guy and very hard-working.’’
     What was the secret to his success? David made sure the cinnamon rolls and donuts were “always so fresh – they were still hot in the box,’’ Keith Mohler said. And breakfast crowds responded in a big way, especially during the morning hours. “There were lines out the door.’’

Visitors stopping by the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, the Gulf Islands National Seashore or going to an Ocean Springs festival, often made the donut shop a destination point. Suddenly losing a vital part of the charming South Mississippi community is tough for the Mohler family’s many friends.
     Reported to have underlying lung disease and heart issues, David Mohler, 61, is among more than 414,000 Americans dying from the coronavirus since the pandemic began in March. Worldwide over two million people died from COVID-19.
     While the USA saw numerous businesses closing during the COVID crisis, Tatonut Donut Shop kept its doors open. Service with a smile and popular items like Chocolate Sprinkle donuts helped sales. So did the store’s Coffee of the Day. Jingle Bells Java, among others, smells wonderful and tastes delish, customers say.
     Donuts dominated life for David Mohler since he was an infant. His father, Robert “Bob’’ Mohler founded the Spud Nut shop on the Coast in 1960, not too long after David was born in Biloxi on March 18, 1959. At age 24, David took over the ownership and operations of what became the Tatonut Donut Shop in 1983. Led by this pillar of the community, business thrived.
     The Mohler family’s love of donuts is shared by David’s wife, Theresa, the co-owner, their daughter, Katelyn, and spills over to customers of all ages.
     “Our two youngest grandsons loved stopping by Tato Nut because they knew David would let them get covered in flour, dough, and sugar while stuffing donut holes in their mouths,’’ says cousin Bruce K. Mohler and his wife, Martha.

     Daughter Katelyn Mohler, 22, grew up with her dad at the donut shop.
     From cooking, decorating, fulfilling orders and waiting on customers, Katelyn said working at the shop alongside her dad has taught her some valuable life lessons
     “My dad was one of the most influential people in my life,” said Katelyn. “Me and my dad are two of a kind. He worked his whole life to create and grow an extremely successful business.
     “My dad was someone I respected greatly, not only because of his passion for work but for his strong faith and love for his family. I believe the three things that best describe my dad are faith, family and his devotion to his business.”
     Katelyn said she believes her dad’s value to his community comes across in the commitment of Tatonut customers.
     “Tatonut is not only a coast staple, but it also is known across the country and even across the globe,” said Katelyn. “One of the most common questions we get asked is if we ship.
Tatonut has made such an impact on some customers’ lives they would do anything to indulge in another bite of a Tatonut donut ever since they have moved away from the coast.
     “I believe that everyone can see his passion and care for what he did really came across in his product and the customers can see that. Each and every donut was hand crafted and my dad made sure it was perfect before it was allowed to be sold.
     “…He showed up every day to deliver the absolute best product possible to the community and that is why Tatonut has the reputation it has today.”
     Growing up in South Mississippi, Mohler family members don’t just stand out by showcasing donuts. They have interesting nicknames. There’s David “Camp’’ Mohler, and brothers Richard “Brick’’ Mohler and Jeff “Bitty’’ Mohler, for instance.

     David’s death sent shockwaves across Mississippi communities and led friends to write messages on Facebook to offer their prayers. On social media, the family announced with heavy hearts that David passed from this life into the arms of his loving Heavenly Father.
     Anne Marie Guille, co-owner of the Southern Bagel Company in Long Beach, lauds the Ocean Springs business.
     “His unique potato-made donut was one of a kind,’’ Guille says. “The atmosphere was always welcoming and very friendly. Every time I visited family in Ocean Springs and Cruisin the Coast, it was a definite go-to. My little cousins Taylor and Emma Merton were frequent goers and absolutely devastated by the news.’’
     The Harrison County businesswoman calls Tatonut “a precious jewel of Ocean Springs. The owner will be greatly missed.’’
     Tragedy devastated the Mohler family more than a decade ago. The couple’s youngest daughter, Sophia, a third grader at St. Alphonsus Catholic School in Ocean Springs, died of brain cancer in 2009. She received radiation therapy and chemotherapy at the MD Cancer Center in Houston. During treatments in Texas, the donut shop closed for the first time in twenty years.
     A devout Catholic, David was a life-long parishioner of St. Alphonsus in Ocean Springs. A 1978 graduate of Ocean Springs High, he received the 2010 Business of the Year award from the city’s Chamber of Commerce.
     His generosity was extensive. Mohler sponsored little league baseball teams, and partnered with The Lord is My Help, a local food bank. David supported the Make-A-Wish Foundation in South Mississippi and Ronald McDonald House in Mobile, Alabama.
     Mass was held at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs on January 25 with internment at the Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations go to the Ronald McDonald House of Mobile.

Andy Kanengiser

Mississippi College’s university news coordinator, Andy Kanengiser, spent three decades as a newspaper reporter. For much of his career, the New Jersey native worked at “The Clarion-Ledger.” Andy also serves as the advisor to the “Mississippi Collegian,” MC’s student newspaper. Pearl residents, he and his wife, Sunuia, stay busy with their five adult children and 10 grandkids! An avid table tennis player, Andy captured gold and silver medals at the Mississippi Senior Olympics, (and State Games). He’s in his 13th season sponsoring the MC team, national collegiate champs in 2015 and No. 2 in 2019.