For you old timers, Ray Thompson, who was well-known to Valley TV and radio audiences from the 60s-80s passed away this weekend. He was about 91. I'd love to find some video of him but haven't had any luck. Ray was old school to the core, and seems like a really decent person. He anchored for years on Channel 12, moved to Channel 3 for a number of years and I believe was let go to make way for the Cameron Harper-era crew. That's when he went to KTAR radio for a number of years. RIP Ray.
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Former Channel 12, Channel 3 and KTAR anchor passes away
- Thread starter buster2
- Start date
Billboard featuring Ray Thompson as anchor of KTAR news. http://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/oaaaarchives_BBB1913/
(from Duke University Library - Outdoor Advertising Association of America Archives)
(from Duke University Library - Outdoor Advertising Association of America Archives)
He passed away last Wednesday, but for some reason it never saw print. Channels 3 and 12 had tributes on-air but not on their websites. He was 91.
IIRC, he was the original news anchor and (I think) news director for Channel 3 beginning in 1955, then moved to 12 in the mid or late '60s, returning to KTVK around 1977 or '78 (a September 1978 clip of one of his newscasts is on YouTube).
I guess that leaves Bill Close as the last living '60s-era Phoenix newscaster.
IIRC, he was the original news anchor and (I think) news director for Channel 3 beginning in 1955, then moved to 12 in the mid or late '60s, returning to KTVK around 1977 or '78 (a September 1978 clip of one of his newscasts is on YouTube).
I guess that leaves Bill Close as the last living '60s-era Phoenix newscaster.
Here is the 1978 KTVK clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK6JcJ9wsM8
buster2 said:
Buster:
Sorry to hear it. Ray was absolutely one of the greats.
I was the first reporter hired for the "Cameron Harper-era" crew in March of 1986 and Ray was already long gone. The lead anchors at the time were Mary Jo West and Frank Robertson, who joined KTVK in 1983 and 1984, respectively. Frank Camacho and Heidi Fogelsong anchored the weekend news.
Newspaper clippings indicate Ray went from KTAR to KTVK in 1978. I can't find an exact date when he left. There is a news item from July of 1980 reporting that Ray's house was destroyed in a lightning-caused brush fire, and he's identfied as "KTVK anchor", so he was still there then. Sigma Delta Chi honored him with a Distinguished Service Award in 1981, so that might have been in conjunction with his retirement, or he might have stayed until Frank Robertson's arrival in '84.
I overlooked 3 anchors who were also at KTVK when I arrived in 1986: Ruth Todd, who did the 11AM newscast, Sue Breding, who did the 5PM, and Tom Olson, who co-anchored with both. Ruth arrived in 1981, Sue in 1982 and Tom in 1983.
Michael:
Thanks for clearing up the "anchor tree" at channel 3. Brought back memories....
It's too bad Rays' passing didn't rate a mention in the Repubic. I saw the obituary, but nothing of note in the news section. I'm sure there are a number of people who would remember Ray from back in the day.
Thanks for clearing up the "anchor tree" at channel 3. Brought back memories....
It's too bad Rays' passing didn't rate a mention in the Repubic. I saw the obituary, but nothing of note in the news section. I'm sure there are a number of people who would remember Ray from back in the day.
buster2 said:
Hopefully, they'll catch up and do a piece.
The old guard is leaving us. Bill Close and Vince Leonard are (I think) the last remaining of that generation of Phoenix news anchors.
Ah, what a shame, but he had a good long life. He was on when local tv news actually covered news. Nowadays it's entertainment tonight/people magazine.
Ray wore the bola tie, had the Slim Whitman stache' and read the news. He is missed.
Ray wore the bola tie, had the Slim Whitman stache' and read the news. He is missed.
Legend City said:
Didn't Ray normally wear a (regular) red tie?
Bill Close had the bola tie concession.
oldiesfan6479 said:
You are correct!!! I co-mingled and realized it this morning...
Ray will always be remembered by yours truly... Thompson wrapped up his news presentations on Channel 12 with:
"And finally..." It was many times a humorous news brief with a twist. Ray would then smile and sign off.
God bless you, sir.
"And finally..." It was many times a humorous news brief with a twist. Ray would then smile and sign off.
God bless you, sir.
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