Gore family celebrates Patriarch's 100th birthday

Troy Gore, the great-grandfather to former Miami Hurricane and current San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore as well as Miami Columbus High School blue-chip recruit Jakhari Gore, celebrated his 100th birthday Sunday during services in Coconut Grove.

Troy Gore, who raised four generations of Gores in the Grove after moving to South Florida from South Carolina in 1950, spent a career as a mason and landscaper.

Gore did not play sports as a younger man. But he has had a front-row seat to civil rights progress that allowed his sons to play on the same fields as kids of other races.

He was discharged from the Army because of a knee injury -- an ailment that is his only infirmity today after his first century on the planet.

''He is in excellent health,'' said Sabrina Gore, mother of Jakhari. ``His memory is still great, he was looking around [Sunday during the services] because Frank was late and he was wondering where he was.''

After the service, the Gore family and friends adjourned to nearby Carver Middle School for a private party.

(miamiherald.com)