Andre Head

Genealogist, historian, firefighter Age: 72

Andre Head, a genealogist and advocate for historically Black towns, became ill with COVID-19 and later died on Nov. 26, 2020. He was 72.

Head was co-founder of The Coltrane Group, a nonprofit organization that he and his wife, Jessilyn Hall-Head, created to preserve and revitalize the state’s 13 remaining historically Black towns. The organization is perhaps best known for creating the Historic Black Towns Tour program, which took people to visit the towns.

Head also was a board member of the Oklahoma Genealogy Society and president of the Black Genealogy Research Group.

“(Andre) worked tirelessly to ensure that the Black towns in this state received their due recognition,” said the Rev. Major Jemison, senior pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, where Head with his wife attended services.

Head also worked as a firefighter and federal marshal.