Mr. Marcus Kenneth Moseley's Obituary
Marcus Kenneth Moseley took his love of people, historical intellect, and expertise as an elite athlete and poured into students as a coach and educator for over thirty years. On June 14, 2024, he peacefully transitioned into eternity at home, surrounded by family, friends, former students, and colleagues who traveled to his side to share their love and gratitude for him.
Born to Jeanette Woodie Dorsey Moseley and Earl Lavere Moseley, Sr. in Houston, Texas, on June 15, 1942, Marcus is the 5th child in a family of twelve children. His older siblings include Yvonne Anita Moseley Boozier, Earl Lavere Moseley, Jr., William Claudius Moseley, and Edith Carol Hill. He is an elder brother to Michaelle (Mickey) Moseley, Adrian Moseley, Sherry Diane Moseley, Vernetta Alice Moseley, Janet Karen Moseley, Alan Faurice Moseley, and Dorsey Juan Moseley.
He joins his mother, father, sisters Yvonne, Edith, Sherry, and brothers Earl and Adrian in eternity.
A true son of Houston’s Historic Third Ward, Marcus graduated from Jack Yates Senior High School in 1961. An extraordinary athlete, Marcus excelled as both a football player and a track star. With his dexterity, speed, and athletic intelligence, he led Jack Yates to many victories on the field and the track.
Upon graduation, Marcus joined the Peace Corps and traveled to Jamaica, where his deep love for teaching and coaching youth and Caribbean culture began. His mother, Jeanette, cried learning that he would visit Jamaica. She’d named him for Marcus Garvey, a hero and activist from Jamaica. Coaching and teaching at York Castle High School in St. Ann, Jamaica, his eyes would become tender as he recalled the bonds he shared with his students and faculty. Over the years, he would consider Jamaica his home away from home, giving generously to schools and bringing friends and family to tour the island, year after year.
He returned to Houston and enrolled in Texas Southern University, earning a 4.0 GPA. In 1966, he met and married Lois Elaine Gordon. Newlywed and pursuing his degree, the United States Army came calling and drafted Marcus to serve during the Vietnam War in the mid-1960s. For two years, he served his nation as a radio operator and a cook.
In 1970, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree at Texas Southern University. A year later, in 1971, he’d start a new position as a father to Lauren Patrice Moseley. A devoted husband and father, he thoroughly enjoyed his family.
Over the next thirty years, Marcus would shape lives as a history teacher and coach many athletes to victory. He left his mark at Marshall Middle School, MacArthur High School, Jefferson Davis High School, and his alma mater, Jack Yates High School.
A devoted coach, he led the Jefferson Davis High School girls' basketball team to a championship. He coached both track and football, growing the character and athletic skills of dozens of athletes. While at Marshall, he was promoted to be the Principal of Night High School and spent his evenings guiding those determined to earn their high school diplomas. Later in his teaching career, he began teaching children with special needs, and the bonds continued to form in the classroom.
Marcus and Lois were both educators. They were so committed to nurturing young people that though they had one daughter, they opened their home to care for children whom they loved over the years. This long list includes younger siblings, nieces, nephews, and even students. They lovingly cared for their goddaughter Danielle since she was an infant and set her up to successfully fulfill her life’s purpose and nurture her own family. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or in the living room, he committed to educating and supporting the success of future generations. Lois and Marcus enjoyed 57 years of marriage, educating the next generations and building a life together.
He retired from teaching at the close of the century, and began a new career, supporting the faculty at Houston Community College - North Campus, where he quickly became a beloved, albeit unofficial “life” coach for many who worked there.
In 2012, we learned that all his old football glory stories were true when he was inducted into the Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association High School Hall of Fame as an exemplary football player.
Whether you call him “Mr. Moseley,” ”Coach Moseley,” “Uncle Marcus,” “Dad” or just Marcus, anyone who encountered him left with a smile, a laugh, a quick history lesson, and feeling like somebody in this world cared about them. For many, he is a source of love, wisdom, inspiration, and friendship. Like his namesake, he would become a hometown hero and an activist in his own right, supporting the growth and development of so many young people with odds stacked against them.
The wind blew a little colder this year the morning of June 14, 2024. Marcus Moseley’s warm presence will forever be missed.
What’s your fondest memory of Marcus?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marcus?
Share a story where Marcus' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marcus you’ll never forget.
How did Marcus make you smile?