Jack Horner

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Horner Jack Horner, Pioneer Sports Broadcaster, formerly of Minneapolis and Apple Valley, died peacefully Monday, Jan. 10, at St. Therese in New Hope. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Cel, who died in 2001. Jack was born May 18, 1912 in Staples, MN. After graduating from North Dakota State University, Jack pursued a career in broadcast journalism that eventually led to being named a Pioneer of Broadcasting in 1994 and induction into the Minnesota Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame with the inaugural class in 2001 Jack began his career in 1935 at KGFK in Moorhead, MN. After stops in Wausau, WI, Sioux City, IA, Milwaukee, and Grand Forks, ND, he joined KSTP Radio in the Twin Cities in 1944. At KSTP he hosted several sports programs and was the play-by-play announcer for the University of Minnesota football and other university teams. On Dec. 7, 1947, Jack hosted the first live television program in Minnesota history on KSTP-TV. The 25-minute program included highlights of the Army-Navy football game, commentary on the Gopher-Wisconsin game and a kinescope feature on the marriage of future Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain to Prince Phillip. Less than six months later, May 27, 1948, Jack was the play-by-play announcer for the first regularly scheduled program on KSTP-TV, a minor league baseball game between the Minneapolis Millers and Louisville Colonels. A few days later, television had another first when Jack was the announcer for the first no-hit, no run baseball game ever broadcast. Later in his career, Jack was the sports anchor for KEYD-TV (now KMSP-TV) and and WTCN-TV (now KARE-TV). He continued broadcasting sports features and commentary on several Twin Cities radio stations and hosted a local cable public affairs program until the mid-1990s. Jack was an active and long-time volunteer for several area organizations, including the Memorial Blood Center and the Minnesota State Services for the Blind, where he was a volunteer reader on the service's radio network and hosted a weekly sports program for more than 20 years. Jack is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, John (Jack) and Jan of Maplewood, George and Harriet of Minneapolis, Phil and Maggie of Woodland Hills, CA, Steve of Boise, ID, Tom and Libby of Edina, and Richard and Jan of Proctor, VT; grandchildren, Mary, David, John, Kathleen, Gretchen, Karen, Stephanie, Michelle, Paul, Joseph (J.J.), Christopher, Kevin, Amanda, Christen, Danielle, Ann and Alex; and nine great-grandchildren. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the wonderful caregivers and staff at St. Therese Southwest, St. Therese New Hope and Methodist Hospice Care. They provided Jack with so much love and comfort in his last years. Memorials are preferred to the Emergency Fund of Church of the Risen Savior. Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Friday, Church of the Risen Savior, 1501 E. Cty Rd. 42. Visitation 5-7 PM Thursday, White Funeral Home, 14560 Pennock Ave., and also one hour prior to Mass at church. White Funeral Home Apple Valley 952-432-2001

Published on January 12, 2005