A partial quote from a sports reporter for the Sunday Daily News of 12/10/1916, is perhaps the best way to introduce Wilson “Jit” Lightner. He wrote, “It would not be stretching matters in the least to refer to Wilson Lightner as the greatest all around high school athlete of this city —-“.
“Jit” began his high school athletic career in 1913 at Parker High School where, as a freshman, he earned varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. He then transferred to Stivers, where as one of Stivers greatest athletes, he earned three varsity letters in each of the same sports.
In football he played end as a sophomore and halfback as a junior and senior, He also played defense and kicked extra points. As a junior he was Captain of the team that won the City Championship and the team repeated as champions his senior year.
In basketball, he played forward on teams that won three City Championships (1915-17) Stivers first state championship (1916) and state runner-up (1917). He was Captain of the 1916 and 1917 teams and was 1st All-State in 1917.
In baseball he was a catcher all three years and team Captain his senior year.
After graduation “Jit” enlisted in the Army and was assigned to a medical detachment. He was sent to Europe during World War I where he served as a stretcher bearer.
When he was discharged, “Jit” enrolled at OSU in 1919 with the goals of obtaining a degree in dentistry and participating in varsity sports. He accomplished both goals. He was a member of the 1920 basketball team, the 1920-1922 football teams and graduated with a degree in Dentistry in 1923.
Following graduation he began his 43 year career in Dentistry in the Dayton area, which continued until his death in 1966. He is survived by two daughters, six grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
Thanks so much for posting this information. Dr. Lightner was my grandfather. I had fun reading about him and sharing this with my son, Jit’s great grandson.