Gerald Huth

Gerald B. Huth, 77 passed away peacefully to the Lord on early Friday morning, February 11, 2011 at home in Las Vegas, NV. He was born on July 23, 1933, to John Huth and Clara (Batliner) Huth in Floyds Knobs, IN. He was a gentleman and a man of honor, devoted to God and his family.
Gerald was a very talented athlete who played football throughout the first 31 years of his life. He started his football career in high school playing for the New Albany Bulldogs where he played for three years under Coach Alex Thom and was co-captain his Senior year. In 2007, he was inducted in the 2007 New Albany Senior High School Hall of Fame.
He attended Wake Forest College where he played football from 1952-1955. He made an immediate impact on the field for the Deacons and his efforts were rewarded when he was named to the Carolina College's All-Star team in 1952. He was named 2nd team all-ACC in 1953 and received an ACC honorable mention in 1954. In 1960, Gerald graduated from Wake Forest University in North Carolina with a Bachelor's in Business Administration. Gerald recently received honors, being inducted into Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame in November of 2010.
An NFL 24th round-pick of the New York Giants in 1956, he played eight out of 12 games as a rookie. On December 30, 1956 the New York Giants defeated the Chicago Bears 47-7 in Yankee Stadium to give Gerald his first of 2 NFL World Championships. That same year he finished third in the voting for the NFL Rookie of the Year award. Drafted by the US Army in 1957, he spent a year in Germany where he led the Third Division Fourth Infantry football team to the European Football Championship. He re-joined the NFL in 1959 and started for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960. Gerald earned his second NFL World Championship by making the game-winning block that propelled the Eagles over the Green Bay Packers, 17-13 in the 1960 NFL Championship game. When the NFL expanded in 1961, Gerald was selected as one of the players to the Minnesota Vikings expansion team where he would end his NFL career after three seasons.
After retiring from the NFL, he continued his career as a Claims Specialist for State Farm Insurance in California where he retired after 27 years of service with the company. After his retirement from State Farm insurance, Gerald moved to Las Vegas, NV where he enjoyed his retirement years.
Gerald is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Diane M. (Seymour) Huth; his children Sharon (Huth) Sullivan; Gerald II and Mary (Nino) Huth; Carol (Huth) Mitchell and Kathleen (Huth) and Logan Willis; his brothers Raymond Huth and Richard Huth, his sister Mary (Huth) Reed, and his 7 grandchildren: Erika, Leija and Garrett Huth, Leilani Borkowski, Celeste Davis and Darcie and Patrick Willis. Gerald also leaves behind many loving family members from California, Las Vegas, and Floyds Knobs. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Jeanette and his brother, Eugene.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 19 from 12 to 4PM and Sunday, February 20 from 2 to 8PM at Newcomer Funeral Home (3309 Ballard Lane, New Albany, IN). A prayer service will take place on Sunday at 4PM. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10AM Monday, February 21, 2011 at St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church (3033 Martin Road, Floyds Knobs, IN) with military honors and burial to follow in the church cemetery.
Contributions in Gerald's memory may be made to the Boston University School of Medicine CSTE to study the effects of brain injuries on athletes at 72 East Concord St. Suite L219; Boston, MA 02118.