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Darrell Daniel "Dan" Willis
1937 - 2005
Darrel Daniel Willis passed away shortly after 5:00am Sunday, May 1st 2005 at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center after a lengthly battle with cancer. Darrel was known to most in the fourstate area simply as "Ol Dan", Darrell Daniel Willis was born on July 24, 1937 in Sand Springs, Oklahoma to Manning Ladell Willis and Ruby Leola Stage Willis.
Dan
began his broadcasting career in September of 1955 at KUOA-AM, while attending
John Brown University, where he majored in communication. In the spring of 1960
Dan was offered his first "professional" job in radio at KTLQ, a small station
in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Shortly after joining KTLQ Dan moved to Post, Texas,
where he helped design and build KUKO radio. It was giant undertaking for the
23-year-old but the station was soon on the air and Dan hosted the morning show
at KUKO until 1963 when he then moved to Ralls, Texas, to work at KCLR.
Shortly after moving to Ralls, Dan knew it was time to try to move back to the four-state area. He sent out letters to the three stations he wanted to work with … KGGF in Coffeyville, KFDI in Wichita, and of course, KKOW in Pittsburg. Although all three stations eventually called Dan, the first (and one he secretly most wanted to work) was KKOW.
Like
most broadcasters, Dan figured his stay in Pittsburg would be short … four
years at the most. But something special happened at KKOW, Dan fell in love
with the four-states and the four-states fell right back in love with Dan. His
first day on the air was September 29, 1964, and the first voice most
four-staters heard for the next 40 years was "Ol Dan". Through changes in
ownership, management and formats, Dan's love for KKOW never wavered. In his
years at KKOW, Dan did nearly everything, from programming to engineering
… sales to severe weather watches … Dan was always there. His remote broadcasts are the things of legend with literally thousands of people showing up to see and talk to the man who embodied the four-states.
Dan was a lot of things to a lot of people. A great husband, a loving father and to those who knew him, a true friend. Above all, he was a broadcaster who loved his job and the community that embraced him.
He will be missed by all of us at KKOW.
In lieu of flowers and cards the family asks that donations be made to the Dan and Linda Willis Scholarship Foundation at Pittsburg State University and/or Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Fund at St. Mary's Church in Pittsburg.
Dan is survived by his wife Linda; Brother Thomas L. Willis and Sister Ruby Alice Gilmore, three daughters Cherri Diane Hudson, Karen Kay Willis & Beverly Helen Willis, all of Pittsburg. Two Stepsons: Zane Lee Todd Jr. of Olathe, Kansas and Jeffrey Brandon Todd of Denver, Colorado and Stepdaughter Tiffany Lynn Decker of Pittsburg. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Molly Jo Hine of San Antonio, Texas; Nicholas Hine of Mulberry, Kansas; Zane Lee Todd III & Brittany Sue Todd, both of Olathe, Kansas and Danielle Dickinson, Adam Hudson, Jordan Decker and Caitlyn Decker, all of Pittsburg.
Funeral Services and Arrangements:
Public viewing will be held from 2pm - 5 pm, Tuesday May 3 at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 South Broadway in Pittsburg. Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 916 North Locust in Pittsburg and will begin at 6:30 Tuesday evening. Services will be held Wednesday morning, May 4 at Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church beginning at 10:30.
Please fill out the form below to give your condolences.
Awards and Recognition received during Dan's career:
1989: Miner's Lamp Award - for outstanding dedication and support to the Coal Mining Heritage of Southeast Kansas.
1993: Sonny Slater Award -- Presented by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters for distinguished and exemplary service to both his industry and community.
1994: Appreciation for Support of Slovenian Music Award - Presented by 50 Camp Lodge 225 for his continued support of the Slovenian Heritage and Music.
2000: Friends of County Agents Award - Presented by KAACA for continued support of the work of county agents.
2004: Ambassador of Agriculture Award - Presented by the Crawford County Farm Bureau Association.
2004: Heart of the Heartlands Award - Presented by the Heart of the Heartlands railroad group in appreciation of his efforts to promote and publicize the railroading history of the fourstate area.
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