Jackson Free Press

Larry Emmett, 55, co-founder of the Pizza Shack in Jackson, passed away last night following a battle with cancer.

Emmett is survived by Michael Parker, his partner of 20 years and fellow Pizza Shack co-founder. The couple first met and started dating in southern California. They moved to Maine in 1994, where they opened an ice-cream shop. A year later, the two were on their way to move to New Orleans after visiting friends in Nashville, Tenn. when their car broke down in Jackson.

Unable to get repairs with the money they had, Emmett and Parker took up residence at the Dollar Save Inn in Jackson. Emmett took a series of jobs in local restaurants such as IHOP and the now-closed Schimmel's Restaurant, while Parker stayed home keeping their four cats hidden from the motel's management.

The two came to like Jackson and decided to stay. They eventually moved into Belhaven, where Parker started attending Millsaps College.

Emmett and Parker opened the first Pizza Shack location on East Fortification Street in March 2006. They opened a second location at Colonial Heights Shopping Center on Old Canton Road in February 2011.

On Dec. 7, 2009, Emmett and Parker married in front of a justice of the peace in Bridgeport, Conn.

"[Emmett] was the best, he's the best boss I ever had," said Tyrone Perry, general manager of the Fortification Street Pizza Shack. "He helped the needy and the homeless, he never turned his back on anyone, and he helped me back to my feet at a time when I was down. He will be missed."

Funeral arrangements for Emmett are incomplete at this time, but general plans are for the service to be held in Jackson and the burial to take place in Byram. Both Pizza Shack locations will be closed on the day of the service in honor of Emmett.