INDIANAPOLIS — The celebration of life service for former Indiana Pacer and WTHR sportscaster Jerry Harkness is underway at Grace Apostolic Church in Indianapolis.
Watch the live stream from Lavenia & Summers Funeral in the video player.
Burial will take place at Crown Hill Cemetery.
Former Indiana Pacer Jerry Harkness passed away Aug. 24 after a short battle with cancer.
Harkness made history during his college basketball years and went on to play pro with the Pacers. He became a huge advocate for mentoring youth and thrived as one of the leaders for 100 Black Men of Indianapolis. After serving in a leadership position for the organization, Harkness continued his volunteer work and encouraged others to join him.
He also visited local schools to give students pep talks about being good citizens.
Clarence Crain ended up joining the volunteer group 100 Black Men of Indianapolis because of Harkness. They became friends after Jerry joined the Pacers.
Harkness impressed Crain with his humble spirit, and how he used his professional basketball position to create relationships and programs to promote mentoring young people. It's no surprise to Crain that Jerry reached so many people in different avenues of his life.
"There are those who will remember him for his long shot with the Pacers," Crain said. "Those who knew him in high school and who knew him in New York, they will talk about him from there. But I think mostly they will think of him as a community advocate."
One of the people who became friends with Harkness at the office of 100 Black Men of Indianapolis is Vernice Williams. Harkness was her boss, but their families became close right away through community work.
"You would not know that he was somebody because he did not flaunt his title, he was just Jerry," Vernice Williams said. "He was my boss, and he was my friend. He became like family to me."
Jerry Harkness made Black history at WTHR-TV when he became the first Black man to anchor sports.
Pacers Sports & Entertainment released the following statement:
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Jerry Harkness, whose accolades as a gifted athlete and basketball player were outweighed only by his servant’s heart and commitment to others. He was loved for his selflessness and service, and it was clear to all that what motivated him most was his relentless passion for growing community. Jerry was a true hall of famer, on and off the court, and all of us at Pacers Sports & Entertainment keep him and his family in our prayers.”
The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) issued the following statement:
"Jerry Harkness may not have been from Indiana, but he was a Hoosier through and through. He spoke to the world through our state's most beloved sport and showed a generous heart on and off the court. It is thanks to his dedication and strength that we have such organizations as the Indiana Black Expo and 100 Black Men of Indianapolis to unite the voices of Black and Brown Hoosiers across the state."
"Mr. Harkness remains a true inspiration to the IBLC and all who strive for real change in this world. He will truly be missed. We offer our thoughts and prayers to his loved ones during this difficult time."
Harkness was 81 years old.
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