Jerry Lyst, a former editor of The Indianapolis Star editorial pages and business section, died Saturday of pancreatic cancer.He was 76.

A U.S. Army veteran who attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Lyst worked 45 years for The Star.

Before being named editor of the newspaper’s editorial pages, he was The Star’s businesses editor and for many years wrote a daily column called “Money, Jobs and People,” which was syndicated.“He was a true gentleman and fine journalist who always was willing to listen,” said Jane Lichtenberg, The Star’s coordinator of community conversations. “Even though the newspaper’s editorial pages were considered conservative, he was always very open to hearing all sides.”Lichtenberg worked for Lyst for more than 25 years in various roles, starting first as a business reporter when he ran the business department in the 1970s. He was editor, and she was the sole reporter.“He truly cared about the community. He was a wonderful writer and very particular about getting the story right,” Lichtenberg said of Lyst, who retired from The Star in 2000.He received a national Casper Award in 1969 for a series of stories documenting the difficulties of finding jobs for the hard-core unemployed.He was a past president of the Indianapolis Press Club and its foundation and served on many boards.He was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by three governors.After his retirement, Lyst became a member of the Indianapolis Sailing Club and served as commodore of the Cruising Club for two years.Lyst was born in March, 1933, in Princeton, Ind. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Long Lyst; three daughters, Shannon Lyst, Ellen Eaken, both of Indianapolis, and Bettina Nolan of Raleigh, N.C.; three grandsons; and a granddaughter.Lyst and his wife recently celebrated 50 years of marriage.Services are pending but will be handled by Leppert Funeral Home, 740 E. 86th St., Indianapolis.