He had an irresistible chuckle, which we loved., Dana had a fabulously descriptive vocabulary, Flood said, some of which is probably too urbane for a newspaper story.. He died Tuesday, April 19. Her decision to leave was front-page news: She was only 32 and at the top of her game. 12 News+ offers you live and on demand news coverage from 12 News. McLaughlin said Dana's advice is something he still thinks about. "I think he always felt like local TV news was a very unique way to connect the community, to bring people together. Moved away and miss your favorite morning newscast from 12 News? May his memory be for blessing.". On weekends, Kent and his friends participated in a rite of passage for Phoenix-area teens that lasted decades: cruising Central Avenue and hanging out at the Bobs Big Boy. After graduating from West High School in 1960, Kent attended ASU for a year and went on a two-year mission to Uruguay for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After college, Kent worked stints managing gas stations, filling in as a radio announcer, and working for KOOL-TV as a weekend anchor. The best guide in Arizona to getaways, concerts and the dining scene. They also helped viewers see the humanity of foster children. Broadcasting runs in the Dana family. Everyone who knew Kent recalls his loud, cackling laugh that could light up the newsroom. The latest Arizona headlines, breaking news, in-depth investigations, politics, and local community stories that matter to you. A look at what is happening in the news from a fatal train crash in Greece to an RSV vaccine closer to availability and SpaceX and NASA plan a second attempt launch. It was at the prestigious institution that he met his wife, Laura. Kent also acknowledged his wife Janets sacrifice, being married to someone with such a unique job for three decades. The news about the 45-year-old reporter's sudden death left his colleagues and fans devastated. Tolleson group home stabbing raises questions. 'It's just brutal out here': Annual homeless count in Maricopa County underway. Most importantly, Dana has the kind of warm personality that makesviewers feel like he is a friend, even if they've never met him face to face. He began an impressive streak of anchoring the evening news from 1979-to 2004. Those who worked with him echoed the sentiment that Dana was approachable and friendly. All Inclusive! Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Close had his bola ties. I don't mind it. The end of her marriage was reported in the press. But wearing the jacket became a tradition that viewers looked forward to every holiday season. Maureen Kyle spoke with an expert on how to help teens. The stories brought out Kents inner child as he would banter and laugh with kids. Anywhere and anytime. Click here to watch it on the official website. AASK would tell us they would get hundreds of phone calls after a story aired and maybe it wouldnt work for that child, but it would develop a relationship for parents to adopt someone else.. But she is also intelligent and a hard worker, and when she decided to focus on TV news, she proved to be a natural. You can watch 12 News+ from anywhere! CDC data shows teen girls are dealing with an increase of depression, suicidal thoughts and sexual violence. Something that I saw installed just a few hours prior just disappeared. The man is not listed as the owner of the companies he represents during projects, so he has never been disciplined by the Registrar of Contractors. But that quality, combined with good sense and a classy presentation, endeared her to a generation of TV viewers. He always felt like local TV news provided a connection to the community that was unlike anything else, said Joe Dana. Kent Dana became an anchor at 12 News in 1979. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. At 14 years old, Kent took his fathers car for a joy ride and crashed it. Despite his public persona, Kent was his childrens biggest fan. "He was an incredibly talented and dedicated journalist but more importantly, was a devoted husband, father and friend.". 7:08. As of 2023, she is around 34 years old. Cody, a graduate of Arizona State University'sWalter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, started at 12 News in 2016. Then Dana worked at KPNX (12 News) and later Channel 5 (part of the Arizonas Family stations). Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! None of this macho persona about him. He added, Its time to start doing what is best for me, without worrying what a select few people think about it. Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12 News YouTube channel. The cause of death was . He purchased the jacket from Sears in 1979 and over the years, it quickly went out of style. on camera. Exclusive sports coverage of Arizona high schools, Sun Devils, Suns, Cardinals and Diamondbacks plus access to USA TODAY Sports+ at no additional cost. I waited at home expecting to get in big trouble from my dad, Kent would say. Thats the beauty of real chemistry. Bill died in 2010 after a battle with cancer. Listen, folks, some very difficult decisions had to be made last week for our list of the 10 hottest TV news women in Phoenix. It got to the point where viewers would call us and ask, When is he going to wear the jacket? Kent said. She got a full-time job at 12 News. The 26-year-old suspect allegedly stabbed his roommate to death. Channel 12: 1960-1977; Channel 3: 1977-1982 The first news director for Channel 12 (back in the days when it was KTAR-TV), Thompson is an unquestioned pioneer in the Phoenix TV industry. All Rights Reserved. He often slipped away from the newsroom between evening newscasts to catch his children in ball games, dance recitals and school performances, even if he could only stay for a few minutes. In. wls. Veteran Alabama reporter and anchor Christopher Sign, who previously worked in Phoenix for more than a decade, was found dead by the local Hoover police Saturday morning, according to Hoover. Dana was surrounded by his family at the time of his death. No problem. One camp looked at his solid news credentials and his sharp interviewing skills; he was able to badly fluster then-Governor Evan Mecham in a 1987 interview that would have gone viral, had such a concept existed then. Kirkpatrick worked at Channel 12 for six years before moving over to Channel 3, where she became one of the station's flagship performers. He would do that for anyone.". #. Who else would make a tradition out of wearing a red plaid Sears sports coat every Christmas? We rode our bikes everywhere, up and down Central Avenue all hours of the day in the summers, said Kents younger brother, Reed. That 12-year-old boy would grow up to be the most recognizable face in Phoenix television news history. When he was 5 years old, Kent won the Mr. Rainson, a meteorologist, moved to 12 News in April, after working part-time at Arizona's Family for nine months. He anchors weather every weekday on "FOX 10 AZAM" 4:30-10am as well as "FOX 10 News . You know when you see an actor and think, "Man, they'd be fun to grab a drink with?" He went on: The bottom line is I made this decision myself. American Diabetes Association Alert Day Are You At Risk? He had 13 grandchildren. Christopher is survived by his wife, Laura, and three sons. Ayear later, she reflected on her decision: "I wonder how did I ever stay up until 10 p.m. and look perky?" And I think the fact that he was doing this job in the community where he grew up made it that much more meaningful to him.. He's a convicted sex offender, but the public wouldn't know that. Shumway and Dana worked together for several years creating the two signature projects Kent was most proud of in his career: Wednesdays Child and Silent Witness. "He told me several times never get in the way of a good story," Joe Dana said. He did take truth and honesty very seriously, but he never took himself very seriously, she said. KTHV's movie reviewers discuss the actor who never ages: Paul Rudd. . Ford could have been a punch line. A sense of humor was typical with Dana, Flood said. Ty has been thrilled to call the valley home for nearly a decade. In Phoenix and across the Valley, an outpouring ofcondolencesfrom former readers andformercolleaguesfilled social media. Later, she flew solo, anchoring the station's two-hour 4:30 p.m. newscast with poise and uncommon good sense. Renovations gone wrong: Valley customers owed millions after botched jobs. Not so withFoglesong, who stepped away from the news desk in 1993 at her own accord. Our Glendale divorce lawyer team is ready to support you right now! There are many talented people that narrowly missed making the cut. If he lacked the crusty edge ofBillClose, he instead offered a kinder, gentler presence. Here's why. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. In terms of advice, Joe Dana said his father kept it pretty simple. We trust them. The celebration of life will be streamed on 12News.com and. By ABC7. Its not easy being the spouse of an evening anchor and leaving the house at one in the afternoon or so every day and being gone all evening, Kent said in 2018. For the series which was a partnership with Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK) Dana profiled children in the foster system, bringing attention to their plight and to adoption in general. Andrea's legacy spanned more than three decades as an Emmy award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of that at NBC12 as anchor of 12 News Today and 12 News at Noon. That was because he was genuinely sweet and kind. Read More . She kept my life in order, Kent said at the time. But he will likely best be known as a fixture on the anchor desk during an era that local television news dominated ratings. Leonard was 92. Keith Czeskleba. Veteran Alabama reporter and anchorChristopher Sign, who previously worked in Phoenix for more than a decade, was found dead by the local Hoover police Saturday morning, according to Hoover Police Department Capt. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A 1954 Arizona Republic newspaper clipping contains a review of the Phoenix Little Theatres rendition of the play, Happy Time., Young Kent Dana stole the show, the article states. During a 2018 Emmy Awards speech, he attributed his success to his co-anchors and a longtime producer, Julie Frisoni Shumway. They don't ever intrude on you. She had good chemistry with Dana, which they came by naturally. During his studies at The University of Alabama, Christopher played football for the Crimson Tide under former coach Gene Stallings. Some of the 12 News programming is not available on 12 News+. Example video title will go here for this video, What to watch for as Kevin Durant makes his Phoenix Suns debut in Charlotte | Locked On Suns, Kevin Durant, Monty Williams speak about Durant's expected debut for Phoenix Suns vs. Hornets tonight, Body found by ADOT worker near I-10 in Buckeye, Winter storm updates: ADOT advises against traveling in 'extreme weather conditions', Nieve para el norte de Arizona y lluvia en el valle debido a la tormenta invernal, Propietaria del restaurante 'Breakfast Bitch' en Phoenix fue sentenciada a 51 meses en una prisin federal. And that hasnt changed at all.. Police and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Officer are investigating the death of a man while in custody of police Saturday night. Discussing the day's top sports stories from Lebron James injury and the impact on the Lakers' season to the new MLB pitch clock already controversial. Updated: 6:17 ET, Apr 20 2022 RENOWNED news anchor Kent Dana has died after battling an infection following a broken hip. Life in order, Kent took his fathers car for a joy ride and it. And think, `` Man, they 'd be fun to grab a drink?! Most recognizable face in Phoenix television news dominated ratings over the years, it quickly out... He never took himself very seriously, but he will likely best be as., christopher played football for the Crimson Tide under former coach Gene Stallings 32 and at the prestigious institution he. 'It 's just brutal out here ': Annual homeless count in Maricopa County underway products and services on website! 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