Former Indiana state legislator and civil rights trailblazer Hurley Goodall died recently at age 93.  The Muncie icon is being remembered across the state.

Breaking barriers was a regular part of Hurley Goodall’s life. He was one of the first two African American firefighters in Muncie. He became the first Black person elected to the Muncie school board.

And after his election to the state House of Representatives in 1978, he helped create the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus and sponsored the legislation recognizing January 20 as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

In a statement, Indiana House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta called Goodall a “real champion for Indiana.” And Representative Cherrish Pryor, a member of the Black Caucus, said Goodall was a “true public servant” whose legacy is “awe-inspiring.”

In Muncie, Goodall and his wife Fredine established a scholarship to help students get an education at Ivy Tech Community College, tuition free.  Goodall mentored countless men and women, to whom he would listen and encourage.  He simply wanted to make Muncie a better city.

Among his numerous honors,a statue is dedicated in his honor in Fireman’s Park.  This weekend, that statue was shrouded in a black cloth to mark Goodall’s passing.  Goodall was also awarded an honorary doctorate by Ball State.

Due to the pandemic, Goodall’s obituary says he will be buried in a private ceremony, with a public memorial coming at a later date.