Gary England, Award-Winning and Innovative Oklahoma Meteorologist, Dies at 85: ‘Deeply and Forever Missed'
Gary England, who spent 41 years as a meteorologist at CBS affiliate KTVW, has died at age 85, according to the station
England is best known for helping create multiple weather warning systems for television and won numerous awards for his innovative work
"Gary was proud to have protected Oklahoma from its deadliest storms," his family said in a statementGary England, a beloved meteorologist and innovator in the industry, has died at the age of 85.
England spent 41 years informing viewers about Oklahoma's often volatile weather at CBS affiliate KWTV, and was a pioneer in weather technology, according to the news station.
In a statement shared by KWTV, England's family said he 'passed peacefully on the evening of June 10th, surrounded by his loved ones, including his wife of 63 years, Mary, and his loving daughter, Molly."
They added, 'Gary was proud to have protected Oklahoma from its deadliest storms. He will be deeply and forever missed."
England was born on Oct. 3, 1939, and hailed from Selling, Okla., according to the Selling Chamber of Commerce. He began to study weather while serving in the U.S. Navy at age 17, shortly after graduating high school.
In 1965, England received a degree in mathematics and meteorology from the University of Oklahoma. He then spent four years as a consulting meteorologist and oceanographer with A.H. Glenn and Associates in New Orleans before returning to Oklahoma, where he began his broadcasting career.
England began working for KTVW in 1972. In 1981, England became the first on-air meteorologist to use a commercial Doppler weather radar to warn viewers of possible tornadoes, according to the news station.
In the early 1990s, England helped develop First Warning, which provided viewers with instant weather warnings on their television screens, and Storm Tracker, which is now used nationwide to provide viewers with storms' projected paths and timing.
In addition to his innovations, England also made a cameo in the 1996 film Twister and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2013.
He also wrote four books and received many awards, including three Emmys and the National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best in the Nation in the category of breaking news and weather, according to KTVW.
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England retired from his role at KTVW in August 2013 and joined the station's parent company, Griffin Communications, as Vice President for Corporate Relations and Weather Development, per the Selling Chamber of Commerce.
Oklahoma Senator James Lankford paid tribute to England and his work in a statement shared on X after the meteorologist's death was announced. "Cindy and I are saddened by the passing of Gary England—a U.S. Navy veteran and pioneering force in television meteorology,' the senator wrote.
Lankford added, 'His innovations in advanced warnings undoubtedly saved countless lives across the country. Generations of Oklahomans remember well his winsome, 'Let's check it out' and his celebration each week of 'Friday night in the big town.' He was our early warning and our calm in the storm.'
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