LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The late Humana co-founder, David Jones Sr., now has a Hometown Hero banner hanging in downtown Louisville.
Jones Sr., a lifelong Louisvillian who grew up in west Louisville and frequently visited the downtown family YMCA, was not only behind Humana, but created the Parklands of Floyds Fork in eastern Jefferson County later in life.
Humana's Louisville roots go back to its founding as a nursing home in 1961. In the 80's, it grew into the health insurance goliath it is today.
His banner hangs on the side of the YMCA at the intersection of 2nd and Chestnut Streets. It shows Jones Sr. outside the Humana executive building with the original letters that are still present.
The co-founders son, David Jones Jr., recalled his father's words from a high school graduation speech given in 1975.
"'Get out of town,'" Jones Jr. said. "'Get some education. Learn something, and then come back. Because anything you can do anywhere in the world, you can do right here in Louisville, Kentucky.' So he was a believer, and he lived his life that way."
The banner announcement comes at a tense time for Louisville.
Headlines point to a potential merger of the healthcare company he founded, leaving their future in Louisville and employment levels uncertain if there's a merger.
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