Washington - George Rene Francis, the oldest man in the United States, has died at 112, it was reported Monday.

Francis, who was born on June 6, 1896, in New Orleans, passed away Saturday after being hospitalized for heart problems, the Sacramento Bee reported.

An African American who lived through 19 presidencies, Francis said he was thrilled to be able to vote for president-elect Barack Obama. He never thought it possible for a black man to be US president.

"I think he's (Obama) great, because he's black. Because the white people thought the Negro would never be promoted. I think it's beautiful," Francis told the Bee in an earlier interview.

A former boxer, Francis later worked as a chauffeur, mechanic and barber. His wife, Josephine, died in 1963 after 46 years of marriage. He is survived by four children, 19 grandchildren, and 30-plus great- grandchildren, the report said.

US gerontologist Dr Stephen Coles, who maintains a list of the world's oldest people, said Francis lived to 112 years and 204 days.

The oldest man in the US is now Walter Breuning of Montana at 112 years and 98 days. The world's oldest man is Tomoji Tanabe of Japan, at 113 years and 101 days.

According to Coles, the world's oldest person is Maria de Jesus of Portugal at 115 years and 109 days.