Tuesday, January 27, 2015YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- WKBN Television announced Monday that its veteran meteorologist, Don Guthrie, died Sunday at age 71.
Guthrie had been battling pancreatic cancer since May. He died at his home here, the TV station said. Calling hours are Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. at St. Christine Church on Schenley Avenue. A prayer service will be held there Friday at 10 a.m. The public is invited to both observances, WKBN said.
Guthrie, a lifelong resident of the Mahoning Valley, spent 44 years in broadcasting from the WKBN studios. "From his radio days, to his guaranteed forecast and the familiar 'Hey Don' segments -- he touched many lives during his time in television and radio," the TV station said in announcing his death.
“It is a sad day for all of us here at WKBN,” said David Coy, president and general manager of WKBN-TV. “Don was a leader and an inspiration for all of us. He will truly be missed.”
WKBN's news director, Mitch Davis, echoed the loss, “Don Guthrie was more than our weather leader. Don was a friend to me and the entire team. Our hearts are breaking for this loss.”
Guthrie was born in Youngstown in 1943. His interest in broadcasting began at Mohawk High School in Bessemer, Pa., from where he graduated in 1961. He joined WKBN Radio in 1970 as a disc jockey and the FM program director.
In 1973, Don married his wife, Debbie. They have three children: Amanda, Kristy and David.
In 1980, he became a weatherman for WKBN-TV’s Noon News and also assumed the role of Radio Production Director. Don moved to forecasting the weather on WKBN 27 First News at 6 and 11 p.m., "where he became the Valley’s familiar face for weather," the station said (CLICK to see photo montage).
Guthrie was an accredited member of both the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society. In 2014 he was inducted into the Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame in Akron.
In May, WKBN reported Don’s diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. "Since then, the outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming -- including a 'Purple for Don Day' where hundreds wore purple in support of Guthrie," the TV station noted.
The Guthrie family issued this statement:
"Don wanted to say how much he loved serving the community and what an honor it was to be a part of your daily lives. The family would like to express their gratitude for the outpouring of support and love they have received over the past year. It has been a great comfort to know how much he was loved."
WKBN has set up an online forum for viewers to leave memories of how Guthrie touched their lives, as well as messages of condolence for the family. Those messages can be entered through this link.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
CLICK HERE to subscribe to our free daily email headlines and to our twice-monthly print edition.