Obituary for George Elmer Reese
March 13, 1943-August 25, 2025
 

George Elmer Reese was born on March 13, 1943, in Jackson, MS. He passed on August 25, 2025, in retirement hometown of San Miguel Allende, Mexico. He was 82 years old. George was an All-State football player at Jim Hill High School in Jackson, MS. He graduated in the class of 1960. He, and the legendary Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers, were considered among the top running backs in the nation in 1960. George was the first African American running back to be recruited by the legendary Oklahoma Sooners’ head football coach, Bud Wilkinson. George is listed in the 1962 Oklahoma Sooners roster as a Right Halfback, 5’11, 185 lbs. He transferred to University of Colorado in 1964 where he played running back in 10 games and had 23 attempts for 46 yards. While at CU, George was briefly married to Mary Mothershed. Mothershed became the first black female to ever be crowned the homecoming queen at CU in 1962. After graduating from CU, George moved to San Francisco where he worked as probation office for two decades before working as an administrator with the YMCA. George was the younger brother of the late pioneer sportswriter, Earnest Reese--the first African American to write for a major newspaper in the South, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ln his retirement, George coached any sports team that needed coaching—that was his true passion. George moved to San Miguel Allende during his retirement, which is where is passed. He is survived by his son, Eric Reese, 56.

 

For more information, contact Dr. Renford Reese (George Reese’s nephew): rrreese@cpp.edu