James Reginald Dorsett, 1930-2012

My thanks go to Larry Gilbert sending this obituary and to Judy Harrington Diamond (SLHS '59) for forwarding it to me.  I never knew Coach Dorsett, but I knew of him.  Here's Larry's preface plus the obit that appeared in The Austin American Statesman.

James Reginald Dorsett, Bill Lucky, Dugan Hightower & Coach Diz

Those of us who played football and ran track at SLHS in 1958-59, or took "general science" will remember Coach Dorsett. As I recall, he did not move on to Dulles HS when we consolidated.  I last saw him at a regional track meet in 1961, when he coached at Edcouch-Elsa in deep South Texas.  This notice appeared in The Austin American Statesman July 25, 2012.  We were never informed of his great career as a HS athlete.   Larry Gilbert, Austin TX

James Reginald Dorsett passed away on the 21st day of July 2012. He was born the 3rd day of December 1930, in Mexia, Texas to Herman and Cara Dorsett. James held All-State and All American titles in track and football during high school at Alice, Texas. In 1949 he was named to the All-State Football team and selected to play in the annual Texas High School Coaches Association All Star Game. His senior year he posted the fastest time in the nation in the 200 low hurdles, and Look Magazine named him to its All-American High School Track Team. He ran track and played college football for Del Mar College, Texas A&I and the University of Texas at Austin. For his accomplishments, he was named to the first round induction of the Alice Coyote Athletic Hall of Honor.

James taught for 31 years and coached around the state. He was a deacon at the Eternal Faith Baptist Church in Manor. His favorite past times were fishing, cooking briskets for youth fund raisers, and telling true-tall tales. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Louise Dorsett. He is also survived by daughters-Shirley Wilson and husband James; Jamye Rushing and husband Tommy; 4 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity . We hope the fish in heaven are as big as your heart. Family and friends are invited to a visitation to be held on Friday, July 27, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. in the Mausoleum Chapel of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery. The service will be officiated by Rev. John Lawrence of Mount Calm, TX and Pastor Gene Smith of Eternal Faith Baptist Church, Manor, TX. To share memories with the family, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.