Boardman - Jerry K. Thorpe, 80, of Boardman, died Tuesday evening, July 27, 2010 at the Hospice House.
Mr. Thorpe was born May 17, 1930 in Alliance, a son of John and Armada Toepfer Thorpe.
He was a 1949 graduate of Alliance High School. During his high school career, he played halfback for the Alliance Aviators Football Team. Mr. Thorpe was a three-year letter winner and was an All-Ohio selection his senior year in 1948.
Earning a scholarship, he went on to play for the Purdue University Boilermakers as a running back earning two letters and the team tying with the Wisconsin Badgers for the Big Ten Title his senior season. In 1953, he earned his BS in physical education and history. Upon graduation, he returned to Alliance and taught social science and served as an assistant coach to his previous high school coach from 1953 to 1954. He later earned his Masters degree in education.
After applying for the Boardman High School head football coach position at the age of 25, he became one of the youngest head football coaches in the state of Ohio. He taught history and physical education during his eight-year period with the Spartans. His 1961 team was undefeated earning the title of Steel Valley Conference Champs and ranked fifth in the state.
In 1962, Mr. Thorpe accepted the position as defensive secondary coach at the University of Toledo until 1968. Two years later, he became the Midwest Territory College Scout for the Kansas City Chiefs for the next seven seasons. After his scouting position, Mr. Thorpe became a lobbyist and later named executive vice-president in charge of new dealerships for the Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio. Mr. Thorpe retired from the group in 1992 after 15 years of service. After retirement, he worked part-time for the Jim Pace dealership.
Mr. Thorpe was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church, the YMCA in Boardman, and a former member of the Four Square Club and a Mason.
He leaves his wife, the former Jean L. Semmler, whom he married July 15, 1951; his daughter, Patti (Scott) Acey of Virginia Beach, Virginia; son, Doug (Karen) Thorpe of North Lima; and five grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Jim Thorpe; and sister, Celia "Sis" Thorpe.
Services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at the Bethel Lutheran Church, 425 Crestview Dr., Boardman. Family and friends will be received Monday from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the church prior to the service. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Arrangements are being handled by the Davis-Becker Funeral Home in Boardman.