Leslie Lampton, Mississippi’s only billionaire and the founder of Ergon, which has multiple subsidiaries in Vicksburg, died Tuesday at his home in Jackson. He was 92.

Lampton graduated from the University of Mississippi before establishing Ergon in 1954. Ergon has grown from two employees to a workforce of more than 2,600 employees in Mississippi, 29 other states and throughout the world.

Lampton established Ergon Refining in 1978 and helped grow it into the world’s largest producer of naphthenic process oil with 25,000 barrels of crude oil being produced daily in Vicksburg.

“Mr. Lampton’s passing is a great loss to the State of Mississippi and to the Vicksburg and Warren County Community,” Vicksburg Warren County Economic Development Director Pablo Diaz said. “We extend our thoughts to his family and pray for peace in this trying time. Mr. Lampton’s story is an inspiration to all Mississippians.

“Our community is thankful for Mr. Lampton’s visionary investments, philanthropic efforts and for the many positive contributions his leadership and business acumen brought to our regions over more than six decades.”

Lampton is survived by his wife of 69 years Dorothy Lee Crum Lampton and four sons — Leslie B. Lampton III, Lee Crum Lampton, William W. Lampton, Robert H. Lampton.

Prior to attending Ole Miss, Lampton served in the Navy during World War II. He then rejoined the Navy and served in the Korea War.

In the years since it’s founding, Ergon has grown to comprise multiple subsidiaries including Ergon Trucking and Magnolia Marine Transport Company, both of which have large presences in Vicksburg along with the main refinery plant.

A requiem mass will be celebrated at St. Richard’s Catholic Church, 1242 Lynwood Drive Jackson, Friday from 11 a.m. until noon.