Longtime Carmel resident Jack Badger, 81, died Oct. 9 after a long illness.
Badger was an active supporter of Carmel Clay Schools and its sports programs, Carmel Dads’ Club, and CarmelFest.
“I always called him Mr. Carmel,” Carmel council member Jeff Worrell said.
Badger was well known for selling Spark Buttons during CarmelFest.
Badger Fields are named for his son, Mark, who died in 1979. He was diagnosed at age 9 with an inoperable brain stem tumor and fought courageously for 13 months.
Badger, originally from South Bend, lived in Carmel for 50 years.
“Growing up in a small town in northern Indiana, I can tell you that any community – no matter how big it gets – can only function with the help of dedicated citizens who treat their hometown as family,” Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard said in a statement. “Jack Badger was one of those kinds of people … perhaps one of the greatest Carmel has ever seen. Whether you spent any time at the Carmel Farmers Market, a Carmel Dads Club soccer game or perhaps a Carmel High School sports event, you probably saw Jack doing what he did best — volunteering. A Carmel resident since 1968, Jack was known for always emitting a spirit of warmth, good cheer, positive attitude and a great love for our city.”
Badger is survived by his wife, Ila, and his two daughters.
Services are pending.
This story will be updated.
