Former Kentucky Mr. Basketball Todd dies at 87

The Trigg County and Western Kentucky University communities are mourning the loss of Harry Todd.

The 1958 Kentucky Mr. Basketball passed away on Friday in Paducah at the age of 87.

The 6-foot-8 Todd played for Earlington High School and finished his prep career as a three-time All-State player and the state’s all-time leading rebounder. Later, Todd served as the first president of the Kentucky Mr. Basketball Fraternity.

He went to Western Kentucky and played for E.A. Diddle from 1959-62. He helped the Hilltoppers capture the OVC titles in 1960, 1961, and 1962. He also led WKU to two Sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA Tournament. He was inducted into the WKU Hall of Fame in 2022.

After college, Todd was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks, but spent 30 years in the military, where he retired in 1991 as the Garrison Command Sergeant Major at Fort Campbell. Todd was a highly decorated combat veteran whose awards included the Silver Star, mulitiple Bronze Stars and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

Todd served through community leadership and tourism work in Trigg County for many years after retiring from the military. Last fall, Todd was selected for the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame, becoming the first Trigg County resident to receive the honor.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until noon on Wednesday at King’s Funeral Home in Cadiz, followed by a funeral service at noon. Burial with military honors will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville.

Photo by Western Kentucky University