Garry Bowers-WCLG, RIP

[engineer]

Radio pioneer and station owner Garry Bowers passed away this afternoon in Morgantown. Garry worked at WCLG for more than 50 years. He bought the station in the 80's. I had the pleasure of working with Garry for 17 years. Please keep his family in your prayers during this difficult time.

[Lester]

How sad. I assume he no longer owned WCLG?

[engineer]

How sad. I assume he no longer owned WCLG?

No, Garry was the owner even while his health was failing. His family will most likely run the station until they find a buyer. It was very thoughtful of Metro News to post a story: http://www.wvmetronews.com/news.cfm?fun ... ryid=49966

[the jive talkin one]

WCLG was never a Mountainet affiliate, but Garry was a class act. Always treated us professionally, and respectfully. Many great radio talents studied at his lab too, some of whom I was lucky enough to work with, or at least alongside.

[Dave Harman]

I always enjoyed every encounter I ever had with Garry. Before I gained other radio employment, I was able to hang out in the studios with friends who worked there in the early 80's, and saw the operation from the inside out. It really convinced me that radio was a fun, interesting way to make a living. I think "The Old Trading Post" was truly the road map of how that kind of show should work - and I think that my first appearance on the radio was when I sold stuff on that show. Later, while anchoring the Community Hour on WDNE, I remembered how Garry was always patient and friendly with every caller, and tried to model my own responses on Garry's model, because he never treated anyone badly, no matter how goofy they were . Garry also did good work through the Masonic Lodge that was rarely mentioned, but always important. He'll be missed.

[ashton]

I never had more fun in a job than when I was working at WCLG. Garry was a big part of that. Sometimes we didn't see eye to eye on how to run my show, but he allowed me to make mistakes in my development as a jock. For that, I'll always be thankful to him.

[Lester]

He wouldn't hire me because I was a Reservist.

/irony