ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - He's known as the "Father of Sports Talk Radio" in St. Louis. Family members say businessman and public servant Richard Gray died in Texas.
The former KMOX Radio sales manager left Robert Hyland's staff to form an all-sports station in 1991.
Gray reminisced about it with our Mike Claiborne in the recent past, "Every host was allowed to share their ideas on the direction that we were going to go as a station. If it seemed to make sense, we went in those directions. I think that's what made it so special and so much fun."
The U.S Navy veteran went on to lead the Gateway Sports Foundation and was a public safety director for Mayor Francis Slay.
Slay had this reaction Friday night after hearing about Gray's death, "He was funny. He was warm, and he cared. He cared about the city and the people of St. Louis. It came out in him in so many ways. He will be deeply missed."
Slay also recalled Gray being a part of American history while serving in the Navy, "He had his Naval uniform on and was part of the honor guard for President Nixon when he came off the helicopter on August 8th, 1974. That was Richard Nixon's farewell. It is a famous picture."
Col. Richard Gray once served as a Presidential honor guard @WhiteHouse during the Nixon Administration while in the @USNavy. As President Richard Nixon did his famous “victory” farewell, Gray (3rd from left) stood at attention.#ARemarkableMan R.I.P.(@MayorSlay shared photo) pic.twitter.com/17zARDbyG8
— Devil's Advocate (@GentryTrotter)
April 27, 2019 In addition, Gray founded the St. Louis Eagles amateur basketball team, which has produced numerous NBA players and helped young men get into many types of careers.
Words can’t express the loss. This man believed in me and pushed me beyond limits that I didn’t see!! I’m hurt I never thanked you for that. Thank you for your service, leadership, guidance, and love! Rest well coach! ---- https://t.co/7BPgwFwlbA
— Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23)
April 26, 2019 KMOX's Mike Claiborne says Gray was ambitious, a hard worker, and had a special place in his heart for youth, "Rich Gray has his fingerprints on a lot of kids. I think the thing he'd be most proud of is that a lot of his kids went on to get degrees and have become successful in their own forms of business, as well. I'm going to miss him."
Funeral arrangements are pending.
