Selma collectively grieved Monday at news of the passing of Elton Reece, who made it his life’s mission to be a good friend, a coach and to help the children of Selma-Dallas County through athletics as much as possible.

Reece served over four decades in Selma, split between his time at Selma High School and with the city recreation department.

He loved to hunt and fish, but more than anything else he loved helping people.

There’s likely no person in Selma whose life he didn’t touch in some way, whether it be through coaching or indirectly by having a hand in just about every athletic event that happens within the city limits.

After he was offered a job at Selma High, Reece never planned to be in the Queen City longer than a year or two. At that time he was young, had just earned his master’s degree in education and wasn’t sure Selma would be the right fit for him and his family.

As it turns out, Selma was the perfect place for Reece. It’s a good thing too, because Selma needed him. He became a pillar of athletics in the Queen City and became a role model to so many.

Many of Selma’s current leaders played for Reece either at Selma High School or in city league ball and recognize the difference he made in their lives.

Reece was an ambassador for Selma, bringing in fishing tournaments and events like the AHSAA track meet to Memorial Stadium. He was involved in the Masters Games tournaments for this part of the state.

He was a deacon at Elkdale Baptist Church and was involved in so many other countless activities that it’s impossible to list them all.

Reece treated everyone fairly and it’s hard to believe he had any enemies. It’s difficult to picture where Selma would be without his touch and wisdom through the years. He was one of a kind and will be truly missed.