FRANKLIN
Gerald Lee “Jerry” Sargent, 89, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, at the Franklin United Methodist Community, where he had resided since 1998. He was a former resident of Greenwood.
Jerry was born to Hobart and Rose Sargent of Bloomington on Nov. 30, 1925.
He married Barbara Snodgrass in Indianapolis on June 21, 1951. He later married Frances Neal in Indianapolis in 1975, who preceded him in death in 2008. He also was preceded in death by his parents, Hobart and Rose Sargent.
He was a graduate of Bloomington High School in 1943. He was graduate of Indiana University School of Journalism in 1949. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia, and the U.S. Army Industrial War College, Washington, D.C.
His military service included 1943 to 46, U.S. Navy, as a radioman on USS Tollberg in both the South Pacific and Atlantic theaters; 1946 to 1949 ROTC at Indiana University; 1949 commissioned a second lieutenant in U.S. Army Infantry; 1949 to 1960, U.S. Army Reserve, 70th Division out of Indianapolis; 1960 to 1980, appointed to the National Selective Service System, obtaining the rank of colonel (U.S. Army). Membership tours included American Legion and the Military Order of World Wars.
His career included WTTV (Channel 4) from “sign-on” in 1949 through 1958. Next employed at the Paul Lennon Ad Agency from 1958 to 1960. In 1960, he became a partner in Bishop, Miller, Sargent Ad Agency, Indianapolis. From 1960 to 1974, he worked as a congressional aide for Indiana District 7 Rep. William G. Bray of Martinsville in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1966, he purchased the Perry Township Weekly in Beech Grove from longtime publisher Louis Lukenbill. Frances and Jerry sold the Perry Township Weekly to the Martinsville/Mooresville Times in 1980. From 1980 through 2000, he led Perry Publications with ADPAK Advertising Agency, Beech Grove.
Civic organizations included Indiana Historical Society, Perry Township-Southport History Society, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, Johnson County Community Foundation, Beech Grove History Society, Greenwood Rotary Club, Indianapolis Civil War Round Table, Military Order of World Wars, American Legion, Military Order of the Loyal Legion, MARK IV Free Thinking Group, Lincoln Society of Indianapolis, Greenwood Economic Development Commission, Indiana Young Republicans (president, 1970); Greenwood Arts Council, Indianapolis AERO Club, county councilman of Monroe County, Indianapolis Life Effectiveness Committee, Indiana State Museum, 500 Festival associate member and member of the Board of Directors of Baxter YMCA, Southport.
Sargent hosted more than 900 “Hoosier History” radio shows on local outlets such as WNTS (Indianapolis) and WICR (University of Indianapolis.)
Honors include the Sagamore of the Wabash presented by Gov. Otis Bowen (1973) and Sagamore of the Wabash presented by Gov. Robert Orr (1983). In 2006, Sargent was honored by a Joint Resolution of the Indiana House and Senate for his Public Service.
Survivors include two sons, Dr. Thomas Sargent of Washington, D.C., and Jeffrey Sargent of Franklin; a daughter, Claudia Lingeman of Westfield; two stepchildren, Ruth Notter and Loretta Carlton; and a brother, Fred Sargent of Plainfield.
Hobbies included golf and the study the U.S. and Indiana history.
A funeral service will be at noon at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service and Crematory, Greenwood Chapel, 481 W. Main St. Calling will be from 10 a.m. until service time Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Baxter YMCA, 7900 S. Shelby St., Indianapolis, IN 46227.
You are invited to read Jerry’s complete obituary at www.wilsonstpierre.com, where you may sign the online register book or leave a condolence for the family.
