Gene Verlon Bess

Gene Verlon Bess, who built a hall of fame career coaching basketball at Three Rivers College for 50 years, died at his residence Friday morning, June 19, 2026, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He was 91.

His basketball career made him a legend. His patience, faith and most of all his love made him so much more.

Bess won more games than any college basketball coach at any level, earning him the honor of being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023. His overall record of 1,300-416 over 50 seasons coaching the Raiders included two national championships in 1979 and 1992, while becoming the first college coach to reach 1,000 wins.

Born March 3, 1935, in Pocahontas, Missouri, Bess was valedictorian of his class at Oak Ridge High School, earned a bachelor’s degree at Southeast Missouri State University, a Master of Education at the University of Missouri, and a specialist in college teaching at Murray State University. He taught math and was the volleyball and basketball coach at Lesterville High School before teaching and coaching basketball at Anniston and Oran for over 12 years.

On May 27, 1961, Bess married Nelda (McCann) Bess in Charleston, Missouri.

The family moved to Poplar Bluff in 1969 when he was named the assistant coach at Three Rivers. The following season Bess was promoted to head coach where he remained until his retirement in 2020. Bess, who is also in the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and the NJCAA Hall of Fame, among others, was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church of Poplar Bluff. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and officials who called the charge.

Gene and Nelda Bess were married 65 years, she survives, along with two children, Janell (Doug) Hartmann and Brian (Kacey) Bess; four grandchildren, Taylor (Trey) Rakes, Kolby (Jakelyn) Bess, Kiley Jean Bess, and Bryelle (Cory Heitert) Hartmann; two great-grandchildren, Baylor Bess and Mila Heitert; special nephew Andy Kriese, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bess was preceded in death by his parents, Hobson and Maude Bess; and a son, Garron Bess; a brother, Cramer Bess; and two sisters, Mildred Phelps and Ruth Ann Morris.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 26, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff. Funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the church with Bishop Ron Webb and Pastor Brandon Spain officiating. Burial will follow at IOOF Cemetery in Charleston.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Gene Bess Memorial Scholarship, care of Three Rivers Endowment Trust, 2080 Three Rivers Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.

Condolences may be made by email genebessbook@gmail.com

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to serve the family and friends of Gene Bess. Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com