Jerry Sloan passed away this morning, due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. He was 78.

McLeansboro mayor Dick Deitz played basketball at Hamilton County High School with Sloan. He says there was no better ambassador for the city and Hamilton County than his friend Jerry Sloan.

“He was kind to everyone, was well thought of by everyone. He remembered his roots and where he came from. He was very good to Hamilton County and what he did taking care of the young and the elderly, just in general a great guy all around.”

Sloan was an all-state player at McLeansboro High School in Illinois before playing for Evansville from 1962 to 1965. He led the Aces to two Division II titles and was the fourth overall pick in the 1965 draft.

Sloan was married to his high school sweetheart, Bobbye, for 41 years, and they had three children. Even though he coached in Salt Lake City, Sloan and his family always maintained a home in McLeansboro. His son Brian won a state championship for the high school in 1984 before going on to play for Bobby Knight at Indiana.

Bobbye Sloan died in 2004 at the age of 61 after a well-publicized battle with cancer.

Sloan married Tammy Jessop in 2006 and had a stepson from that marriage.