Jim Thorpe's sons not invited to ceremony in Pennsylvania

Thursday, May 19, 2011  

The two surviving sons of legendary athlete Jim Thorpe haven't been invited to a ceremony to unveil a new statue of their father in Pennsylvania.

William Thorpe and Richard Thorpe recently joined a lawsuit that seeks to rebury their father's remains in Oklahoma. They are at odds with some other family members and the town of Jim Thorpe, where the statute will be dedicated on Saturday.

"I had no idea they were having a ceremony,” William Thorpe, 82, told The New York Times. "The people in Jim Thorpe, Pa., I guess they know my feelings.

The lawsuit was filed by Jack Thorpe, a former chief of the Sac and Fox Nation. He died in February but his brothers and the tribe joined the case earlier this month.

Get the Story:
Thorpe Family Split Over Sons’ Lawsuit (The New York Times 5/19)

Related Stories:
Sac and Fox Nation joins lawsuit over Jim Thorpe remains (5/16)
Opinion: Jim Thorpe a victim of 'begrudgery' despite Olympic win (8/9)
Jim Thorpe's son hopes for friendly resolution of repatriation case (7/26)
Opinion: Town will go on if Thorpe's remains reburied in Oklahoma (7/19)
Jim Thorpe's son sues to have remains returned to Oklahoma (6/25)
Commentary: A good case for returning Thorpe to Oklahoma (5/24)