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George Henry Gresham

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Central High School University of Alabama

George Gresham Obituary

George Henry Gresham January 18, 1927- November 10, 2004 COLUMBUS, GA— Mr. George Henry Gresham, 77, died Wednesday, November 10th at St. Francis Hospital. Memorial Service will be held Sunday, Nov. 14 at 4 p.m. at Vance-Brooks Funeral Home, 4048 Macon Rd., Columbus, Ga. with the Rev. Mike Benson officiating service. The family will receive friends Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. George Henry Gresham was born January 18, 1927 son of the late George Robert Gresham and Thelma Pope Gresham. Mr. Gresham served his country with the United States Navy during WWII. He attended Livingston State Teacher's College (now University of West Alabama) on a basketball scholarship class of 1951. He received his Master's of Guidance and Counseling at the University of Alabama in 1966. Mr. George Henry Gresham married Lois Hilyer on August 20, 1949. He began his coaching career at Washington County High School in Chatom, AL from 1951 until 1957. He coached at Central High School in Phenix City, AL from 1957 until 1965. Mr. Gresham spent the last 25 years of his career at Baker High School in Columbus, GA., coaching football, basketball and Athletic Director from 1966 until 1991. After his retirement with Baker High School, Mr. Gresham assisted Coach Nathan Rustin at Pacelli High School for several year. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Lois Hilyer Gresham of Columbus; Daughters, Valerie Gresham Paulk and her husband Kenneth of Columbus; Melanie Gresham Gardner of Phoenix, Ariz., Vickie Gresham Aycock and her husband Bill of Gainesville, Ga., Kathy Gresham Boucher and her husband Chuck of Danville, Va. Karen Gresham Baker and her husband Doug of Rome, Italy; Brother, Robert Gresham; Sisters, Gladys Gresham Sherwood and her husband Jack, Jean Gresham Crews, Margaret Gresham Hearn and her husband Charlie; grandchildren, Jason Paulk, Mallory Gardner, Lee Gardner, Christina Boucher, Carolyn Boucher and Charlie Boucher; And Numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial may be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 2625 Cumberland Parkway, Suite 205, Atlanta, Ga., 30339 or Striplin Terrace United Methodist Church Building Fund 4170 Striplin Terrace Dr., Columbus, Ga., 31909.

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Published by Columbus Ledger-Enquirer on Nov. 12, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for George Gresham

29 Entries

Betty Baker

November 19, 2004

My love and prayers are with all of you at this time. May God bless all of you - Lois, Valerie, Melanie, Vicky, Kathy, Karen (my wonderful daughter in law).

Victor Webb

November 17, 2004

I was saddened to hear about Coach Gresham passing. He made such difference in all the lives he touched over the years. To my good fortune he saw something in a tall skinny kid and gave him a chance. When he moved on to Baker we at Central felt a loss now we feel it again.

Vic...

Luther Richardson

November 16, 2004

It was a great honor and learning experience to coach with Coach Gresham at Pacelli. The memories are unforgetable, as is Coach Gresham.

Sharron Carter-Griffin

November 15, 2004

Sincere heartfelt sympathy to your family. I know my Savior cares!

Baker High- Class of 1982

Betty Hilton

November 15, 2004

Kathy & Family,

No words can discribe your loss. May God and friends give you strenght for the long days that may come.

Amy Prentice

November 15, 2004

Kathy, Chuck and Family,

We just want to extend our deepest sympathy to you. You're in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Amy, Dave, Seth and Tara Prentice

Gary Stewart

November 15, 2004

Coach Gresham meant a lot to me at a time my life when my Dad was busy earning a living, he was a second Dad to me. I used to visit my Mom in Phenix City at Christmas time I would always go to the Christmas Basketball Tournament and make sure I found the Coach in the stands or court side. He would always greet me by name. Coach Gresham was a very special person to me.

Kay Jones

November 14, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God be with you at this time.

Kay, Rick, and J.W. Jones

Mike Edge

November 14, 2004

Even thought I never got to play for Coach He was still a great influence on me and many others that he came into contact with. He will be missed and thought about often.

Larry Lavender

November 14, 2004

Tho every fiber in my body aches with sadness, "Daddy G" has put a smile on my face,whenever & wherever i have struggled with hard times. His humur,compassion,love and influence will be missed greatly.He will always be in our thoughts and prayers.With Love To all his family and relatives.

Era Mae Patrick

Denise Lavender

David Lavender

Kevin Lavender

Patricia Patrick

Jimmy Harris

November 13, 2004

I am saddened to hear of the passing of Coach Gresham. I attended Baker High School from 1980-1984. I played football for Coach Gresham. I know I presented challenges for him off the field and sometimes on it. I just wanted to let his loved ones know that because of his caring and concern for me I was able to turn my life around. Thank you Coach Gresham and God bless you and your family.

Bill Blau

November 13, 2004

Yes, Coach Henry Greasham made a positive difference in so many young lives. The Coach had a natural ability to brighten the days of those around him with his friendly smiles and sharpness of wit. Central High in the 60's was a better school with Coach Gresham, and everyone looked forward each day to gym class.

I like the words of my brother, "Well done, Coach!"

Bill Blau CHS '66

Jerry Oliver

November 13, 2004

Coach Gresham was a man to be admired.He certainly made a positive impact on so many lives.He was truly one of the good guys.

Larry Windsor

November 12, 2004

Mrs. Gresham and Family

I was very sorry to learn of Coach Gresham's death. He was not only an outstanding coach he was a great friend to his players and he helped me personally in so many ways. Coach made playing basketball fun and you never knew you was working so hard. I will always cherish the time spent with Coach.

Jack Blau

November 12, 2004

No other coach has had a more positive impact on my life than Coach Gresham. He was always such fun to be around, and even now I smile as I think about the times we spent on and off the field and court. Well done Coach! Jack Blau,CHS 1961

julie poland

November 12, 2004

Kathy, Chuck and Gresham Family,

Just want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Julie and Jack

james (jimmy) reese

November 12, 2004

Henry was a special human being; he had a caring for young people and was always there when he was needed; I'll miss coach Gres. and have many fond memories of times I was wity him. He's probably looking down on us with Paul and Nathan and planning his next coaching game. I'll miss you coach.

Barbara Archie

November 12, 2004

Coach Gresham was a big man with a big heart. He had a positive impact on so many lives. We were truly blessed to have known him. Respectfully, Barbara Giles Archie BHS c/o 77

Hal & Janet Hebert

November 12, 2004

We share in you sorrow and pray God's comforting presence be with you all during this time.

Debbie Sprayberry

November 12, 2004

Aunt Lois, Valerie, Melanie, Vickie, Kathy, Karen:

My heart goes out to each of you with my love. Uncle Henry was a sweet man who will be missed. I work with coaches who remember coaching against him in games and they all had a great respect for him. Each of you are in my prayers.

Love,

Debbie

CATHY MOON

November 12, 2004

MRS. GRESHAM AND FAMILY,

COACH GRESHAM ATTENDED OUR 40 YEAR REUNION ON AUGUST 14, AND WE WERE ALL SO VERY GLAD TO SEE HIM AND HAPPY THAT HE TOOK TIME TO BE WITH US ONCE AGAIN. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY. HE WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS.

CLASS OF 1964 REUNION COMMITTEE:

Cathy Brown Moon, Ricky Smith, Billy Greene, Tim Hindsman Dollar,

Carol Sudduth Spakes, Mary Wilson Dunn, Linda Bockman Whitehead, Fanny Smith Culpepper, Thelma Nelson Taylor, Mary Penuel Anderson,& Shelrea Norris Funderburk

William Bradley

November 12, 2004

We lost a great friend, whom many of us will never forget. Thanks for being their for us. William Bradley Class Of 1960

Dorothy Pleasant

November 12, 2004

Sorry to hear about your dad. Thinking about you.

Dorothy

PAT LONYAY WALDROP

November 12, 2004

LOIS & FAMILY: YOU ALL KNOW HOW MUCH PAUL AND I LOVED HENRY. HE WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL, COLORFUL FELLOW AND I LOVED HIS WIT AND BIG HEART. HE CERTAINLY WAS A GREAT INFLUENCE ON A LOT OF PEOPLE AND GOD WAS SO GOOD TO LET US ALL HAVE HIM FOR THESE YEARS. LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO FOR ANY OF YOU. LOVE TO EACH, PAT WALDROP

Robert Davis

November 12, 2004

The Central High School Class of 1960 was saddened to get word of Coach Gresham's passing through a posting on our email group by Jim Reese on Wednesday evening. Coach Gresham had such a wonderful positive impact on the lives of so many young athletes in our class -- not to mention all the other classes. The list of CHS1960 athletes who were inspired by Coach Gresham and others to pursue careers in athletics/coaching is impressive, and extends his influence on to multiple generations of young people that continues today. What a wonderful testimony and living memorial to the value of Coach Henry Gresham's life. What a joy his teams added to our young lives at Central High School! Rest in Peace, Coach.

-Robert Davis, CHS 1960

Tammy Strader

November 12, 2004

Kathy & Family,

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My prayers are with you.

Love,

Tammy

Peggy Roberts Barnes

November 12, 2004

To the Gresham Family:

Coach Gresham was influential for many people. His years in education is greatly appreciated by a grateful community. I speak as a graduate of Central High School (1960) who enjoyed knowing him and seeing his standard of excellence. My prayers are with you in the days ahead.

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