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In Memoriam


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Ron Chapman, the legendary DFW morning DJ at KVIL-FM & KLUV-FM with nearly 45 years on radio and the host of WFAA's The Group & Chapman and Sump' N Else in the 1960s & 70s has passed away at the age of 85.

https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/2021/04/26/dallas-radio-legend-ron-chapman-dies-at-85/

https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-fort-worth-radio-legend-ron-chapman-dies-at-85/287-389ca5cb-ecfa-4660-80c2-42bc6accf540

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  • 2 weeks later...

As mentioned in the Winston Broadcasting thread in corporate chat, the Rev. Ernest Angley, owner of WBNX-TV and Ernest Angley Ministries has passed away at the age of 99.

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/05/pentacostal-televangelist-ernest-angley-dies-at-age-99.html

 

At one time, his Ernest Angley Hour could be seen across the country on various TV stations on Sundays.  He followed in the footsteps of Rex Humbard, buying his former megachurch The Cathedral of Tomorrow and used this complex to eventually establish WBNX-TV. 

 

WBNX, once a sleepy independent station launched in 1985, it forced WCLQ Channel 61 into full-time HSN programming, only after being resurrected in 1981 (after Kaiser's WKBF went off the air in 1975.)  They benefited from WJW picking up FOX, and the Fox Kids programming ending up on WBNX, making that Kids Club one of the largest in the country at the time.  They ended up picking up the WB from WUAB, who was also UPN, and eventually overtook them in the ratings as WUAB faltered under Raycom.  The CW favored them and the ratings wins continued.  All while Angley's presence on the station was limited to twice (then only once daily) airings of his Ninety and Nine Club, and maybe some free ads for the Cathedral Buffet, also located on the premises.  They eventually started a subchannel that aired repeats of 90&9 as well as music programs.

 

Billing themselves originally as "The Family Giant", the station took the extra step of bleeping out mildly-offensive words like "hell" "damn" and the like.  Later when newer shows didn't permit such editing, the practice stopped. Ernest himself objected to WB's "Charmed", but there was nothing he could do about it and it aired as scheduled.

 

Often parodied for his preaching, faith-healing and eternal hairpiece (even by Robin Williams and the Bizarre show in Canada), the last several years were marred by scandal and accusations, leading to foreclosure attempts on the church and properties.  This may have played a role in the abrupt end to WBNX's tenure as a CW affiliate, with it going to WUAB.  He was in ill health for the last several years, as guest hosts have hosted his TV programs, and eventually his preaching duties.

Edited by tyrannical bastard
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Sad news from former KHOU 11 News reporter, Doug Miller. Former KHOU 11 News Anchor/Reporter John "Rucks" Russell has died of covid-19. Russell worked at KHOU from 2006 to 2016. Prayers and condolences go out to Rucks Russell's family in this difficult time.

https://mikemcguff.blogspot.com/2021/05/rucks-russell-has-passed-away.html

https://www.facebook.com/doug.miller.75033149/posts/10224020654571793

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  • 3 weeks later...

Tampa Bay TV Weather Pioneer Roy Leep has passed away. He was 88.

 

Leep worked at WTVT from 1957 to 1997. He was regarded as a leader in broadcast meteorology and pioneered radar and satellite observations along with tropical weather.  

Edited by 8Viewer
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2 hours ago, 8Viewer said:

Tampa Bay TV Weather Pioneer Roy Leep has passed away. He was 88.

 

Leep worked at WTVT from 1957 to 1997. He was regarded as a leader in broadcast meteorology and pioneered radar and satellite observations along with tropical weather.  

Sad. He posted weather updates on his Twitter right up until last Thursday. Head in the clouds right to the end.

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  • 2 weeks later...
18 minutes ago, jerseyfla said:

Former Miami News Anchor and Reporter Michele Gillen has passed away. Michele worked at WPLG, WTVJ, and WFOR.

A devastating demise for someone who saw a very abrupt and volatile struggle to the end of her career at WFOR.

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10 minutes ago, tyrannical bastard said:

Sad and shocking news for sure, only several years after longtime anchor Dave Baird retired.

I'm pretty sure that blindsided James Spann. Also he did the 10 pm news last night so that must've been very sudden.

Edited by MartheJokester
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3 hours ago, JoseRM303 said:

According to other media outlets it sadly appears Christopher Sign took is own life 😔

It really makes me real sad that local broadcasters taken their own lives whether they suffering from depression, stress, or thoughts of suicide. We lost many of our favorite local personalities due to suicide and I'm not going to name name's out of respect to the deceased. I said it before and I'm going to say again, If you know someone you love (Family and/or Friends) who's suffering from depression and have thoughts of suicide, please call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. They're here to help.

Edited by TexasTVNews
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7 minutes ago, MartheJokester said:

KNXV did a little segment regarding his passing.

It’s kind of odd that his former station, ABC 15, spent far more time on his death than his current station, ABC 33/40. (He had been gone from KNXV for about 4 years.) A well-produced, 6-minute package vs. a VO. Either way though it’s a very sad story. 

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