John Gilbert Obituary

John O. Gilbert, II, Past President and General Manager of KOAA-TV, died Friday, June 12, 2009 in Surprise, Arizona. He was 81 years old. Born in Jackson, Michigan, Gilbert graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1927, achieving the rank of Senior Captain/Regimental Commander and Senior Class President, honors that resulted in a 4-page national spread in Parade magazine. After briefly helping run the family chocolate company, Gilbert soon turned to what he felt was his destiny, a career in broadcasting. Rising in the ranks and markets, he ultimately assumed the position of Vice President of Affiliate Relations for ABC, headquartered in New York City. During his tenure, he was responsible for the discovery and acquisition of such talent as sportscaster Howard Cossell, and pioneered the on-air editorial. An avid fan of the great Colorado outdoors, Gilbert made a conscience decision to escape the frantic pace of the Big Apple in 1976. Leaving his large 36th floor office at ABC and a staff of 400, and later his presidential positions with Television News, Inc. and TEL COM, he assumed the helm of a small, under-performing NBC affiliate recently purchased by the Evening Post Publishing Company. Immediately, under his guidance, KOAA-TV took flight. By 1978, it jumped to second place in the ratings, after being "fourth in a three-station market" for many years. Soon, public service announcements promoted local events and primetime programming was often pre-empted in lieu of local specials, such as the Fabulous Fourth Symphony in the Park, Pikes Peak Hillclimb and Rolling River Raft Race, further connecting viewers to their hometowns. Perhaps best known for his controversial editorials, Gilbert challenged viewers to look at all aspects of local issues. Whether listening to his views on the economy or on the use of semi-automatic guns when deer hunting, viewers looked forward to hearing the gravely voice that always seemed to resonate with passion - even when they disagreed with him. In 1999, Gilbert retired from KOAA-TV, several years later moving to Surprise, Arizona with his beloved companion of 12 years, "Studley" - a magnificent Golden Retriever, who according to Gilbert "had bitten most of the famous people in town". When asked what he thought his greatest accomplishment during the past two decades at the station had been, he replied: serving the public, informing viewers, reaching out to them and stimulating response. In short, "being more to the people than just a box with an image that dances across the screen." With ten straight Colorado Broadcaster Association "Station of the Year" awards and the ongoing admiration of his staff and viewing audience, "John O.", as he was affectionately referred to, certainly achieved that and more! Gilbert is survived by his five children: John O. Gilbert, III (wife Bobbie), Kim Gilbert Raftery (husband Kevin), Robert Gilbert (wife Monica), Kristin Gilbert Hollenbaugh (husband Michael) and Holly Gilbert Macriss (husband Bill), as well as eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.