If you ever listened to or watched news in this area over the past 50 years, you watched or heard coverage shaped by Don Decker. Now, I could spend a lot of time here in this space to tell you about Don Decker.

I never directly worked for him, but as “news director emeritus” (an unofficial title) at WTEN when I was hired in the market, I talked with him, took advice from him and got encouragement from him. We stayed acquaintances and enjoyed nice chats from time-to-time over the years.

I remember running into him at a party at John McLoughlin’s apartment for New Year’s in 2008-09 and he was genuinely concerned about my career, my life and my health. We’d cross paths occasionally over the last couple of years and when we did our 90th Anniversary pieces for WGY this year, I made sure to seek him out for an interview. He was gracious and even bought lunch, asking about my family including my new daughter.

When the piece finally ran, I emailed him to let him know but knowing Don, he probably had heard it. I was getting set to send him a copy of it and just the other day thought to myself I better give him a call – not knowing that he was being treated for cancer in just the past few months.

-John Craig

Here’s our conversation:  Don Decker interview

Here, too, is my brief conversation with John McLoughlin after Don died:  John McLoughlin on Don Decker

Finally, here's the piece on the 90th Anniversary with Don Decker and Tony Guida:  WGY 90th Anniversary News Dept.