Live Stream of the Funeral Service

Gene George Edward Pouncy, was born on November 4, 1950 to Viola and Tommie Lee Pouncy of Grapeland, Texas.

He was the oldest (minute or two) of twin boys and one of six children born to the Pouncys of East Texas, one of the oldest African American families in the state with a lineage that pre-date the American Civil War and extend back to the Colonial Carolinas.

Gene left us an exemplary academic and educational legacy. He left us a historic athletic legacy. But most importantly, Gene left us an outstanding Christian legacy.
Gene, for over 37-years, was a well-respected English and African American History professor at El Centro College in Dallas, Texas, until he retired in 2012. Also, he was one of the greatest Track and Field sprinters ever produced in Texas. He was a major player in rewriting the record books for high school track and field athletes in 1969-70.

He was a major factor in his Dallas Lincoln High School track team setting three national records in the 440-yard relay (40.7 and 40.2) and indoor mile relay (3:12:8) in 1969-70. Additionally, in 1970, Gene established one individual national high school record in the indoor 100-yards dash (9.5). In 1969, Gene and his Dallas Lincoln teammates, help desegregate UIL Athletics during their record-setting performances at the UIL State Track and Field Championships in Austin, Texas as highlighted in Bobby Hawthorne's book "University Interscholastic League An Illustrated History of 100 Years of Service." He is on the All-Time list of best 100-yard dash sprinters in America and was selected "Athlete of the Year" by the Amarillo, Texas Chamber of Commerce and Texas Jaycees in 1970.

After graduating with honors from high school in 1970, Gene was sought after by nearly every major university in the country including Stanford, The University of Southern California, Rice University and Alabama for his academic and athletic skills. The universities came calling with academic and athletic scholarship…whatever it would take to get a gifted student-athlete like Gene on their team. University representatives even camped out on the Pouncy family front porch in an attempt recruit him!
In the Spring of 1970, Gene and his twin brother Joe signed a National Letter of Intent with Southern Methodist University where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree and Master of Liberal Arts Degree while winning three Southwest Conference sprint championships in the 100-yards dash and indoor 60-yard dash from 1971 to 1974. He led his SMU team to SWC record tying performances in the sprint relay. The "SMU 1999 Track and Field Media Guide" listed Gene on the "Men's Top Performers" list for 100 meters dash and he was featured at major university track and field meets during his athletic career ranging from the Kansas Relays to the 1972 United State Olympic Trails in Eugene, Oregon where he barely missed qualifying for the United States' team with a time of 10.10. Two years later Gene, an NCAA All-American, won the United States Track and Field Federation 100-yard dash title. Even, Richard Pennington, in his book "For Texas I Will" highlighting the history of Memorial Stadium at the University of Texas, mentioned the stellar 39.8 performance a Gene led SMU sprint relay team produced in 1974 at the historic Austin facility. He anchored his SMU sprint relay team to three consecutive SWC titles and ran an outstanding 9.2 in the 100-yards dash at the Kansas Relays in 1974. Also, Gene is mentioned in Darwin Payne's book "In Honor of The Mustangs, The Centennial History of SMU Athletics, 1911-2010."

Gene received a "Special Heroes" award from Dallas radio station KKDA in 1993; was inducted into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame in 1998; and recognized via the "Black Alumni Award" from Southern Methodist University in 2012 for his significant contribution to the SMU community.
Gene George Edward Pouncy emphasized learning and academic achievement during his professional life as a college educator as well.

Gene was an exemplary professor, with innate interpersonal skills and knowledge that enabled him to teach all types of learners at a keen academic level for over 37-years at El Centro College. He was popular and respected for always demanding the absolute best academic work from students in his classes. He was recognized by the Dallas County Community College District Chancellor Wright L. Lassiter, Jr. for his exemplary service to students in the district upon his retirement.

A man of deep personal faith and Christian values Gene, an Elder at Cliffview Church of Christ in Dallas, lived a life dedicated to Christ and serving others. He put on Christ in baptism at age twelve and was faithful until the end. Gene Pouncy "fought a good fight, finished his course and kept the faith."

Gene is survived by his beloved wife of 45- years, Beverly Pouncy; daughter, Kimberley Pouncy Hayes (Allen); son, Gene Pouncy, Jr., granddaughter, Leiyah Michelle Hayes; granddaughter, Allison Denise Hayes; grandson, Alonzo Justin Powell; grandson, Austin Jackson Powell; twin brother Joe Pouncy; sister Eliza Wilson and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Gene George Edward Pouncy passed away April 21, 2020 after a short illness. Gene was proceeded in death by his daughter and Kimberly's twin sister, Camille Rachelle Pouncy Powell; his parents, Tommie and Viola Pouncy; brothers, John and George Pouncy and sister, Cherry Sheppard.