FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) Former afternoon and evening host and WOWO Legend Ron Gregory has passed away in Fort Wayne at the age of 77.
He came to WOWO in March of 1973 and quickly established himself as one of Fort Wayne’s very own. Gregory combined a sharp wit, a keen sense of humor and genuine good nature to truly make his listeners smile and laugh, feeling more like they were spending time with a friend than just listening to the radio.
Across the years, Ron Gregory’s smooth delivery and genuine love for broadcasting made him an icon and truly a Legend of WOWO. His listeners remember meeting him in public and recall how friendly he always was.
We at WOWO are grateful for the legacy that Ron Gregory built, and we will miss him. Please share your thoughts and memories below. Join us throughout the day today and Monday on Fort Wayne’s Morning News with Kayla Blakeslee as we pay tribute to our friend, colleague and WOWO Family member, Ron Gregory.
13 comments
Those were the great days of radio when WOWO had the likes of Ron Gregory. Now we have politicized radio with the likes of Kayla Blakeslee. Think about the change. How sad.
I’m really late to reply since I just recently I learned of Ron’s death. I, like you David, agree that WOWO “went to hell” years ago when I first heard them do less music and a guy named Pat White started having a program. Went downhill ever since and I became a “former” WOWO listener! Sad how this conservative talk crap is so popular!
Tried to leave a reply that agreed with you David but my first one got rejected by the almighty conservative media people at WOWO!
Ron was a true gentleman. Always loved seeing him at WOWO events. I told him one time I used to have a horrible crush when I was 17 years old back then and when I met Chris Underwood we were at an event and I told him so. He laughed and said and then you got to see this face. How precious he was to all that admired him. He lived at Canterbury Green for many decades. When my son Sean worked in the office he found out that Sean was my son. He always asked how’s your mom doing? We discussed a while back about all the WOWO memorabilia my mother in law had from Jack ( my father in law ) and thought about trying to display all of our things at the library or historical center. Sadly it didn’t happen. RIP dear friend.
Ron invited me to run his board one afternoon while working part time at WOWO. I was just 19 at the time. Over the next few years he would invite me more frequently, even saying open your mic kid, talk to WOWO land! He encouraged, enlightened, and shared Gods gifts to the few people in the building and the millions listening all over the east coast and beyond! So glad I got to see you a few months ago with Dan. You are the image of a gentleman! Thank you for your education and friendship!
Ron was also an avid amateur radio operator much like Bob Sever’s. In the last few years, even though his health was declining, Ron would take the helm and run a ham radio net that was formed in memory of Bob Sever. He called at his medicine. It allowed him to be on the air and talking to a dozen or more people at a time. He still had the smooth pipes that made him a star! His wit was sharp, even when he was struggling. As a part-time broadcaster in a little Toledo radio station, he treated me like a peer– Complementing my voice and sharing memories of the old times. He even listened and commented on my old demo tape. All the amateur radio community will miss Ron, he blessed us in so many ways. Rest in peace my friend.
Rusty Irons
Formerly at WCWA
Oh no!
Ron was instrumental in getting a character I invented on the air at WOWO.
As a creative teenager in the mid seventies I donned a home made superhero costume and paraded through the streets of Fort Wayne at night. Ron gave me air time to chat and tell of my adventures.
He then passed me on to Carol Ford and ultimately Maureen Macozzi.
Skunk-Guy has since become a series of books a radio drama and we’re currently working on a comicbook. All because Ron Gregory held his hand out and gave me a boost.
He will be missed.
I worked at WOWO In the early 90s. Besides Gary Noe, Ron was the first person I met. He was warm and welcoming. His sense of humor was immediately apparent and no one was spared from it. He was a good hearted man and will be missed.
Thanks for your meaningful tribute. I met Ron when I did my stint in 1980-1981 as a Group W Management Trainee in Producing and Programming at WOWO. He and Chris Roberts were terrific pop Top 40 DJs from whom I learned a great deal. My goal was to become a DJ, but at my next station, WNBC AM at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC, I was literally traumatized out of my career and eventually moved on to film. But I so cherished (and continue to do so) my friends from those WOWO days in Indiana: with the Little Red Barn, our large Sunshine mobile unit, Nancy Lee and the Hilltoppers, and all of it. I continue to mourn the loss, and now will mourn my dear buddy Ron. He did have health issues these past few years, but I never expected to hear about this. May be rest in peace and forever be programming that big transmitter in the sky. By the way, I am also looking for a place to park my WOWO archives, in case anyone hears about a repository in Ft. Wayne or elsewhere interested in saving information about what was once one of the most powerful, 50,000 clear channel watt stations in the nation and one of the oldest.
I am sadden to hear Ron has passed. I use to talk to him as a amateur radio operator, ham, and got regular updates from a friend even after his dementia made him forget most of us. I will remember our long talks about old movie stars, such as Bela Lugosi, and his often spot on voice impersonations too. Also stories about WOWO and his passion for radio. A few times he tried to convince me to move to Fort Wayne so he had someone there to talk to, even offering to pay for movers to do it so my wife and I would be up there (we live in Bloomington/Bedford area). May Ron find and rest in peace, he will truly be missed.
I was just thinking about Ron and did a Yahoo search and just saw the new of his death last month. I grew up on the farm in Ohio(still farm it) with WOWO. Listened day and night. I called in and talked with Ron many times. In 2007 my 80 yr old mother had back surgery in Ft. Wayne. I contacted Ron and we met for lunch across from the hospital. He even brought a quart of fresh strawberries to give to my mom. I would try to keep track of where he was working and call once in awhile. I have told my wife and kids abut how great a guy he he was all along. I am very sad to hear of his passing and wish I could have spoken with him “one more time”. Rest in peace buddy. Glad for the great memories. Your almost 70 yr old farmer friend in Ohio.
I to remember the days listening to Ron at nights in Northern Michigan. Listened almost every night to WOWO and Ron. This was in the mid 70’s before we had any decent stations in Northern Michigan Hard to believe it has been 50-years since I Listened to Ron. Good memories still remain with me.
I have googled Ron before and was just thinking of him., sorry to hear of his passing.
I’m really late on this one as I was just talking to my kids about radio personalities I listened to as a teenager in the 80’s. I used to listen to Ron’s show in central PA. Even called in and made some requests. I was always kind of surprised that I could pick up WOWO clearly from that far away. I grew up listening to those “oldies” he played. So sad to hear he has passed on. Never got to meet the man behind the voice but I’ll always remember how he made it a little easier to sit in my room and do homework while listening to his show. Rest in peace Ron.