J.D. Hargis
Year of Induction: 2008 | Categories: Friends of Sports, Individual
J.D. Hargis’ individual selection to the Salem Community High School Sports Hall of Fame comes 12 years after he was inducted as a senior member of the 1952 football team.
At the time of his induction, Hargis has served 46 consecutive seasons as part of the chain gang at Salem Wildcat football games. During the early years of his endurance streak, which began in 1962, Hargis also worked several out-of-town games when the visiting school was required to supply worker assistance. Hargis estimates the number or games he has missed during his tenure can be counted on one hand despite bouts with open heart surgery, prostate cancer, and removal of a kidney due to cancer.
Hargis has also catered several SCHS Hall of Fame and sport award banquets while serving as a partner at a local restaurant.
A 1953 graduate of SCHS, Hargis has been a regular attendee at Salem boys’ and girls’ basketball games since the early 1970’s with a special interest in his children and grandchildren who have played as Wildcats and Lady Wildcats.
As a high school athlete, Hargis played four years of football and three years of basketball. He spent a fourth year in the basketball program as a statistician.
April 25th, 2020 at 3:51 pm
J.D. passed away on September 21, 2019. He was honored at the next Wildcat home football game. I know he would of gotten a big kick out of that. The family wants to thank Dr. D, Stew, and Mr Boles for the kind thoughts. J.D. loved his Wildcats sports, he and mom missed very few basketball games over the years. Of coarse J.D. never missed a home football game, going up and down the sides line with his chain gang. When he was finally unable to attend due to his health, his Friday’s were never the same. I know dad played football and some basketball as a Wildcat, but he never really spoke of it. But I do know, he and mom were always there for their 3 boys as we got the chance to be Wildcats, as his future daughter in law cheered for the Wildcats and his grandchild were able to be Wildcats. Thanks for always being there and for being a Wildcat!