Jim Gerard, at 93 died peacefully in his sleep May 1, 2020 at Marquette Manor in Indianapolis. Jim Gerard was a well-known TV personality from the 60s through the 80s in Indianapolis with his own talk show. I gleaned some of the following information from his obituary — Jim was from Ohio and attended New Falls High School where he majored and excelled in drama, music and speech. Jim was in the Navy during WWII. He was married for over 50 years to Nancy who he met in college at Kent State University, where he earned a B.A. in Broadcast and Theatre. Jim and Nancy had 4 children, 5 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
Jim with his ambition for TV Broadcasting started his career in a local radio station in Dayton, Ohio. He worked as a weatherman, hosted a live dance show, announced sports and auto racing, and hosted a live studio wrestling show. Then he worked in Cleveland and in Pittsburg before moving to Indianapolis in 1962 and joining the Time Life’s Radio and TV station, WFBM (Woof Boom).
Jim became known for his easy interviewing style in Sounds of the City, a man-on-the street interview of people and events in Indy. He co-hosted an afternoon movie show with actress Frances Farmer on WFBM TV. I remember seeing that show when I got home from school. Jim landed his own daily live talk show – The Jim Gerard Show with a studio audience and an 8-piece band. Jim had a wide variety of talent on his show from the winners of a high school marching band to dignitaries like former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey to celebrities like Bob Hope, Ringo Starr, Dick Van Dyke, Carol Channing, Pearl Bailey, Eva Gabor, Ben Vereen, Betty White, Liberace, John Raitt, Rita Moreno and the Amazing Kreskin.
In 1976, Jim was hired by Hook Drug Company to appear exclusively on their TV and radio commercials. Within a few months, The Jim Gerard Show was back on WTTV-Channel 4 sponsored by Hook’s Drugs from 1976-1987. At the time, it was the longest running television show in Indiana.
I met Jim when I started working at Hooks in 1992 in the Advertising Department as a graphic artist. Jim was in public relations and I needed to show him proofs of projects he had our department work on. It was always a treat to visit Jim in his office because he was quite a talker and I would say to my co-workers when I returned, “I should have packed a lunch.” My husband Steve is a movie buff and I knew he would be fascinated meeting Jim, so I set up a lunch date with the three of us and they talked on and on and I went back to work. Jim came a couple of years to our annual Halloween Party at our house in Irvington with his wife (both in full costume pictured here). My mother was so thrilled (like having Johnny Carson over) and got a photo with him. Jim was a fascinating, down to earth man that I so enjoyed listening too. My husband and I both thought he should write a book about all the people he had met and interviewed over the years. He was as nice in person as he seemed on TV. Jim will be missed by all those fans, friends and family.
Due to the current gathering restrictions related to COVID-19, a celebration of Jim’s life will be held on a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Indianapolis in memory of Jim.
