A Farewell to Gary England.

This blog is typically about what is happening with OK weather and what is going to happen. Will take a different approach this time as today marks a milestone for broadcast meteorologists across the state. The 10PM newscast tonight will be the last weathercast for Gary England who has been doing the weather for our sister station KWTV9 for nearly 41 years now. If you are not in the KWTV9 viewing area and would like to see his last weathercast, I understand there will be a live stream available at www.news9.com.

Here is another link with some comments from friends and co-workers and some of the antics that have taken place over the years: http://www.news9.com/story/23278685/news-9-celebrates-gary-englands-long-successful-career.

Many years ago when I was a student at the OU School of Meteorology, Gary gave a seminar on TV coverage of severe weather. That was early in his TV career and since that time his influence on how TV stations cover severe weather has had an enormous impact not only in OK but around the nation, if not the world. He is indeed an Oklahoma legend and among his other accomplishments, will be inducted into the OK Hall of Fame in November. http://www.news9.com/story/22236168/oklahoma-hall-of-fame.

As anyone who knows Gary or who has worked with him will tell you, he is quite a character and if you read some of the comments from his co-workers in the link above you can see that clearly. But, when it comes to severe, life threatening weather, there is none better. Although I have not worked directly for him, I have worked with him over the years as the sister stations do our best to provide statewide coverage during significant weather events. I am proud to say that I know Gary and have had the privilege of working with him over the years. God bless you Gary England in this next phase of your life and thank you for all you have done keeping folks safe over the years.

Dick Faurot