'Kokomo Living History' Life Story Discussion

Come listen, learn and ask about the life stories of three hometown citizens whose collective experience in Kokomo and Howard County reaches back to the Great Depression in the 1930s.

Former Kokomo Mayor Robert Sargent, retired Deputy Sheriff Jon Zeck and Jack Foster, the great-, great-grandson of Kokomo founder David Foster, are the featured guests for an hour-long program and group discussion at the Howard County Genealogical Society monthly meeting on Sept. 10. The program will be hosted by local history writer Gil Porter.  The event will held at the lower level of the Kokomo Howard County Public Library at 220 N. Union Street in Kokomo. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m.  Admission is free.

ABOUT THE GUESTS

Robert Sargent

Robert Sargent grew up on the “tough north end of town” and ultimately went on to serve as Kokomo’s 32^nd mayor from 1988 to 1995. A World War II Navy veteran and longtime Kokomo police officer, Sargent was twice elected Howard County Sheriff and elected to City Hall in 1987. One of his proudest achievements as mayor was being part of the successful city-county effort that resulted in the then-Chrysler Corporation transmission plant expansion.

Jon Zeck

Retired Deputy Sheriff Jon Zeck grew up on the west side of Kokomo. His early life revolved around his father’s Shell American Petroleum filing station on the northwest corner of Washington Street and Markland Avenue (today the location is immortalized as “Zeck’s Corner”). Jon served 35 years with the Howard County Sheriff’s Department. After retirement, he has been instrumental in recording and preserving Howard County law enforcement history.

Jack Foster

Jack Foster grew up on the north side with a bow and arrow and 16-gage shotgun. From the Wabash to the Wildcat, Jack knew the land by heart, whether hunting, fishing or trapping. He worked 42 years as a lineman and a superintendent with the electric company. Jack’s firefighter father served as Indiana state fire marshall, he is the great-grandson of a notable Kokomo mayor and surgeon, and his great, great-grandfather founded the town of Kokomo.