Gary Dennis King (July 24, 1934 – August 28, 2019) was an American businessman and radio personality. He founded WYAR, in Yarmouth, Maine, in 1998. He established the Heritage Radio Society three years earlier.[1][2]
Gary King | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 24, 1934 Pownal, Maine, U.S. |
| Died | August 28, 2019 (aged 85) |
| Resting place | Old Baptist Cemetery, Yarmouth, Maine |
| Known for | founding WYAR and the Heritage Radio Society |
| Spouse | Lois Brown (1956–2004; her death) |
| Parent(s) | Charles H. King Marion Noyes |
Early life edit
King was born in Pownal, Maine, in 1934, to Charles King and Marion Noyes.[1] He moved to Yarmouth, Maine, during his childhood, and lived on East Elm Street.
He served as a radio operator in the United States Army Signal Corps in Germany at the conclusion of World War II.[1]
Career edit
After returning to Maine from military service, King worked as an announcer on WCME and WCSH. At WCSH, he became a television engineer,[3] then a program director.[1]
In 1995, he established the Heritage Radio Society.[4][5] Three years later,[6] WYAR went on the air in the basement of their home on Cousins Island, Maine.[7][8] He served as the station's chief operator and manager for the next fifteen years.[1][9]
Personal life edit
In 1956, King married Lois Brown, whom he had known since he was eight years old. They had four sons.[1]
King played the banjo, and was a member of the Ken MacKenzie band, a local group.[1]
Death edit
King died in 2019, aged 85, after a battle with Parkinson's disease.[1] He had survived his wife by fifteen years. They are both interred in Yarmouth's Old Baptist Cemetery.
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Read Gary Dennis King's Obituary & Leave Condolences". everloved.com. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ Yarmouth Historical Society newsletter, Fall 2017
- ^ "Go ahead, touch that dial; it's time to rediscover local radio". Press Herald. 2020-04-13. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ "about wyar". www.wyar.org. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ "Yarmouth Stories: WYAR-FM". www.yarmouthmehistory.org. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ "Raymond woman keeping late uncle's radio dream alive". Press Herald. 2013-11-04. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ Donnelly, Sara Anne (2015-08-14). "Return of the Old-Timers". Down East Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ "Staff Photo Thursday, January 26 Photo by Derek Davis: Gary King and..." Getty Images. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ "Personalities". www.wyar.org. Retrieved 2024-01-05.