John Ussery

USSERY, JOHN RILEYA Private Graveside Burial is scheduled for a later date at South Park Cemetery in Roswell, NM for John Riley Ussery who passed away on August 27th, 2012 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimers Disease. John was born in Dallas, Texas on January 23, 1932. He grew up in Phillips, TX where athletics played a major role in his life. He was a great all around star athlete at Phillips and went on to attend Eastern New Mexico University on a Football Scholarship. While attending Eastern he met and married his loving wife of 50 years Joann on February 21, 1954. His Passion for athletics led him into a successful Coaching career which began in Canyon, TX in 1955. From there he Coached for two years in Whitharrel, TX and then went on to Coach nine wonderful years in T or C, NM which was always his most memorable and favorite coaching experience In 1967 he accepted a coaching position at NMMI in Roswell where he remained for five seasons before going into business for himself with Roswell Sports Supply. He had several other business ventures in Roswell, including the Hungry American Restaurant before returning to Coaching in 1988 at Ruidoso High School. John was extremely active in the Roswell Community where he was a member of The Roswell Red Coats, Lions Club, Social Corp of Retired Executives, and Kiwanas He was also a Free Mason and pastmaster of the Bethesda Lodge in T or C. When he wasnt working or coaching he spent a lot of time officiating High School and College Football and Basketball games as well as working district and state track meets in New Mexico and West Texas He was a longtime active member of First United Methodist Church in Roswell. John was an outstanding leader and motivator and made a positive difference in the lives of many He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed After his retirement from Coaching he and Joann did quite a bit of traveling, enjoying Hawaii and several cruises. One of his greatest thrills was getting to work security at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta He was proceeded in death by his wife Joann, Father John Ussery, Mother Willie Fay McGrew and Stepfather Richard McGrew. He is survived by his three sons, Mike Ussery and his wife Stacey of Austin, TX., Brad Ussery and his wife Lisa of Roswell, and Gerald Ussery of Roswell. Grandsons, Alex, Ben, and Cal Ussery of Austin, TX. John Ussery and his wife Randi of San Antonio, TX and Great Grand Daughter Raeleigh of San Antonio, TX. The family would like to extend a special Thank You to the many caregivers that took care of John, and the staffs of La Villa, and Vista Care Hospice In Lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to the John Ussery Memorial Scholarship fund, to be presented to an outstanding Roswell area athlete at Bank of the Southwest at 226, N. Main, Roswell, NM 88201.

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