Spencer County lost a living legend last week.
Jerry Allen Hargis, 89, of rural Rockport, passed away on Friday, November 17. 2023. He died peacefully at the log cabin home he built many years ago.
Jerry was born on Walnut Street in Rockport on April 3, 1934, to Joe Allen and Helen Stocker Hargis. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Norma Jean Hargis, and his foster son, Curt Wilgus.
Jerry is lovingly remember by: children, Jerriann Burroughs (John), Joe Hargis (Katy), Jay Hargis (Christie), James Hargis (Karen) and Jon Hargis (Katie); special friend and family member Jill Kincaid; first cousin and oldest surviving member of the Hargis clan, Arnold Hargis; his grandchildren, Brian Burns (Ramona), Emily Strobo (Randy), Whitney Williams, Matthew (Gabrielle), Jacob, Jenny (Sam), Anne and Sam Hargis, Jaymie Fadorsen (Ryan), William (Molly), Helen (Noah), Laurie, Andrew, and Ceci Hargis, Olivia Hargett (Gen), Lucas Hurst, Jonathan Elliot, and Tyler Hargis; his great grandchildren, Cole, Cassidy, and Cali Woodburn, Briley and Bre Burns, Frank and Reid Strobo, Palmer and Walker Williams, Charlotte, Otto, Marigold, and Auggie Hargis, Winter Lautner, Greg and Alec Hargett, Evangeline and Eli Portillo, Camryn and Madeline Fadorsen. Also surviving are his sister-in-law, Tamara Ballard and nieces, Bridget Cummings (Greg), Brenda Alfson (John), Beth Black (David), and Amy Nealey (Curt).
Jerry was the Rockport Kiwanis bat boy in 1943 when he was seven years old. He began his organized baseball career as an 8th grader in the popular Evansville YMCA youth baseball league. In 1950 and 1951 he was a member of the Bosse High School varsity baseball team. He played third base and was named to the WGBF All-City Team in 1951. In the summer of 1950, he played outfield for the Darmstadt semipro team. In 1951 he moved up to the IK League to play for Rockport Kiwanis, which was managed by his dad, Joe Hargis. He also played at Indiana University in 1955. He was a player-manager of the Petersburg Merchants, and while in Petersburg he helped form the Petersburg Little League. He coached in various divisions of the Little League and managed the Petersburg American Legion team for one season. He was the recipient of the prestigious Arlie Skelton Memorial Reward given by the Indiana American Legion and was an inductee to the Indiana Semipro Hall of Fame and to the Indiana Sports Hall of Fame. On May 7, 1967, the baseball field in Rockport was dedicated to Jerry’s father and the field was renamed the JOE ALLEN HARGIS ATHLETIC FIELD.
Jerry is a published author penning, in 2007, “Around the Horn”, A History of Baseball in Rockport. The original printing was for 5,000 books, and they rapidly sold out.
Jerry has been Editor of the Petersburg Press, Editor of the Rockport Journal, Editor of the Phoenixville, PA Mercury, and Executive managing Editor of the Terre Haute Tribute Star. He also served as a writer for INSIDE INDIANA, a magazine dedicated to Indiana basketball, where part of his regular responsibilities included interviewing Bobby Knight for a weekly column.
Jerry was an avid Republican and rarely missed a Sean Hannity show. He was a patriot and loved his country. He was an army veteran having served during the Korean War.
Services are 2 p.m., Saturday, November 25, at The Refuge of Rockport located in Reo. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Pastor Jason Toler will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Refuge of Rockport, 3078 W State Rd 66, Rockport, Indiana 47635 or to Rockport American Legion Baseball Scholarship Fund, PO Box 74, Rockport, Indiana 47635.
A condolence for the family may be left at www.BoultinghouseFuneralHome.com.
