Tulsa Native Paul Harvey Dies

Tulsa-born broadcasting legend Paul Harvey passed away at a hospital in Phoenix.

Saturday, February 28th 2009, 8:45 pm

By: News On 6


By Joshua Brakhage, News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The man who brought America "the rest of the story" has died.

Tulsa-born broadcasting legend Paul Harvey passed away at a hospital in Phoenix on Saturday. He was 90 years old.

For more than 50 years, when Paul Harvey said "stand by for news," America listened.

When he was in high school, his career began at Tulsa's KVOO radio, where he started cleaning the studios before the lure of the microphone drew him to the airwaves.

"I'm gonna be talking back to those newsmakers anyway, so I might as well stay around the microphone and do it professionally," Harvey told The News On 6 in 1994.

He didn't put on airs. His simple style gave news radio rhythm.

At age 33, the ABC Radio Networks took Harvey national. He became famous for his "News and Comment" and "Rest of the Story" features.

He returned to Tulsa in 1994 to headline a fundraiser for his favorite charity, the Salvation Army. It would be his final public appearance in his hometown.

"Of only this much I'm sure: anyplace else will never be home," he said.

In recent years, a virus weakened his vocal cords, forcing him to hand off the bulk of his broadcasts to other personalities, including his son, Paul Harvey Jr.

President George W. Bush awarded the senior commentator the Medal of Freedom in 2005.

The man who honored long-lasting marriages lost his "Angel," his wife Lynne, in 2008.

He called her "The First Lady of Radio." Their romance lasted 67 years.

He joins his "Angel" now and though someone may fill his airtime, no one will fill his shoes.

Now, a new page as the country captivated by his radio prose wishes Harvey "good day!"

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

February 28th, 2009

March 14th, 2024

December 4th, 2023

September 25th, 2023

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024