When memorial services are held for John Kilzer at 2 p.m., today, at First United Methodist Church, most will remember a singer-songwriter whose music career spanned 30 years, and a minister.

But for Edward Martindale, he will remember the friendship he and Kilzer – who passed away March 12 – developed during their schoolboy days in Jackson, and as teammates on the Jackson Central-Merry basketball team.

“My memories of John to back to elementary school when we played in what was called the ‘EBL,’ Elementary Basketball League, with Robert Brown, who coached every elementary team in town,” Martindale said, “I remember John played for the Green Wave, and that was my first time I ever rubbed elbows with John Kilzer.”

The friendship blossomed, and Martindale, a Jackson attorney, said the game he and Kilzer loved wasn’t limited to an elementary league.

“As we got older and went to high school, John and I got very, very close,” Martindale said, “We played basketball almost every moment that had the opportunity, and spent a lot of time at (then) Lambuth College.

“That’s where I really learned to play basketball – a lot of it was because of John.”

Kilzer, a 1975 JCM graduate, signed to play college basketball at Memphis State University, and one year later, Martindale signed with Ole Miss.

“We had the opportunity to play one game against each other in December 1976, and unfortunately, they beat us by five-or-six points” Martindale said laughing, “But John and I had been so close … this has just been devastating. I’m looking forward to going to the memorial service so I can say my final good-bye, and I’m looking forward to seeing people who knew John and maybe share some time we all shared with him.

“He was always a very dear friend.”

(PHOTO: Edward Martindale)
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