Tom York: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Tom York.jpg|right|thumb|Tom York]] | [[Image:Tom York.jpg|right|thumb|Tom York]] | ||
'''Tom York''' (born [[November 30]], [[1924]] in Holland, Missouri) | '''Tom York''' (born [[November 30]], [[1924]] in Holland, Missouri; died [[August 1]], [[2021]] in [[Birmingham]]) was a long-time local television personality, hosting ''[[The Tom York Morning Show]]'' on [[WBRC-TV]] in [[Birmingham]] from [[1957]] to [[1989]]. | ||
York grew up in [[Florence]]. He served as a radioman and gunner for the U. S. Navy during [[World War II]]. He graduated from the [[University of North Alabama|Florence State Teachers College]] and | York grew up in [[Florence]]. He served as a radioman and gunner for the U.S. Navy during [[World War II]]. He graduated from the [[University of North Alabama|Florence State Teachers College]] and, on a lark, applied for a job at WLAY-AM as an announcer. He married the former [[Helen York|Helen Hamilton]] on [[December 24]], [[1947]]. | ||
York broke into television in Memphis, Tennessee. He was invited to come to Birmingham at WBRC shortly after his second child [[Byron York|Byron]] was born. York started off filling various roles, including sports director, before he was asked to fill a vacant hour of morning programming. His "Morning Show" followed the [[Country Boy Eddy Show]] and became a fixture at the top of the ratings for over three decades. For a long time, he shared the screen with co-host [[Fannie Flagg]]. | |||
York | York was involved in the founding of the [[Birmingham Touchdown Club]] in and the [[Alabama Sports Hall of Fame]] in [[1969]]. He hosted the annual ASHF induction banquet. He won a regional Emmy in [[1995]] and was given the "Distinguished Alabama Sportsman Award" by the Sports Hall of Fame in [[1996]]. | ||
From [[2006]] to [[2007]], York penned a weekly column for the ''[[Hoover Gazette]]''. Late in life he and Helen resided at [[Kirkwood by the River]]. He died in 2021 at 96. | |||
==Publications== | |||
* York, Tom (2001) ''The Story of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame: A Personal Perspective.'' self-published. ISBN 9780970315700 | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* {{Hollis-2006}} | * {{Hollis-2006}} | ||
* Hall, Janet (August 2, 2021) "[https://www.wbrc.com/2021/08/02/wbrc-tv-legend-tom-york-passes-away/ WBRC TV legend Tom York passes away]." WBRC.com | |||
* Garrison, Greg (August 2, 2021) "Legendary Birmingham TV morning show host Tom York dies." {{BN}} | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:York, Tom}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:York, Tom}} | ||
[[Category:1924 births]] | [[Category:1924 births]] | ||
[[Category:Living people]] | [[Category:Living people]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:US Navy personnel]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:World War II veterans]] | ||
[[Category:North Alabama alumni]] | |||
[[Category:WBRC-TV personalities]] | |||
[[Category:Regional Emmy award winners]] | |||
[[Category:Columnists]] | |||
[[Category:Authors]] | [[Category:Authors]] | ||
[[Category:Alabama Sports Hall of Fame]] | |||
Latest revision as of 12:53, 24 April 2023
Tom York (born November 30, 1924 in Holland, Missouri; died August 1, 2021 in Birmingham) was a long-time local television personality, hosting The Tom York Morning Show on WBRC-TV in Birmingham from 1957 to 1989.
York grew up in Florence. He served as a radioman and gunner for the U.S. Navy during World War II. He graduated from the Florence State Teachers College and, on a lark, applied for a job at WLAY-AM as an announcer. He married the former Helen Hamilton on December 24, 1947.
York broke into television in Memphis, Tennessee. He was invited to come to Birmingham at WBRC shortly after his second child Byron was born. York started off filling various roles, including sports director, before he was asked to fill a vacant hour of morning programming. His "Morning Show" followed the Country Boy Eddy Show and became a fixture at the top of the ratings for over three decades. For a long time, he shared the screen with co-host Fannie Flagg.
York was involved in the founding of the Birmingham Touchdown Club in and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1969. He hosted the annual ASHF induction banquet. He won a regional Emmy in 1995 and was given the "Distinguished Alabama Sportsman Award" by the Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
From 2006 to 2007, York penned a weekly column for the Hoover Gazette. Late in life he and Helen resided at Kirkwood by the River. He died in 2021 at 96.
Publications
- York, Tom (2001) The Story of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame: A Personal Perspective. self-published. ISBN 9780970315700
References
- Hollis, Tim (2006) Birmingham Broadcasting. Images of America series. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0738542717
- Hall, Janet (August 2, 2021) "WBRC TV legend Tom York passes away." WBRC.com
- Garrison, Greg (August 2, 2021) "Legendary Birmingham TV morning show host Tom York dies." The Birmingham News