Retired WWL morning news anchor David Blake died over the weekend.
He was 71.
Blake was the voice of WWL news in the mornings for 30 years before his retirement in 2019, on the 30th anniversary of his first day at the Big 870.
His family shared his obituary.
"Retired veteran radio news anchor and the voice of morning news on WWL Radio for three decades, David Blake, has died after complications from heart failure," his widow Heather wrote.
Blake began broadcasting in the 1970's.
"His career spanned 45 years, starting in Mobile, Alabama at WABB-AM with morning host Ron Frazier and went on to serve as morning news anchor and sidekick to air personality 'Cajun' Ken Cooper at WEZB 97 FM in New Orleans. From there he landed the chance to return to his native Southern California to serve as news director at KFI AM 640 in Los Angeles working alongside such legendary talents as Gary Owens and comedy duo Lohman and Barkley. He then returned to New Orleans to anchor the morning news at WLMG FM Magic 101.9 and ultimately WWL radio, covering the stories making local, state, national, and world headlines for the next 30 years alongside morning show host Bob DelGiorno and later Tommy Tucker."
Blake was recognized with many awards over the years.
"His work has been honored by the Press Club of New Orleans, the Associated Press, and won the national Edward R. Murrow award for outstanding newscast, among others."
David was a son, a father, a husband and a friend.
"David is the son of the late Commander John S. Blake, U.S. Navy (Retired) of Brooksville, Maine and the late Marian F. Blake (née McFadden) of North Hollywood, California. He is survived by his wife Heather, daughter Allison Blake Williams (Aaron), son John Paul Blake, and in-laws Paul and Mary Grace Cutting. A celebration of David’s life and work will be held in New Orleans to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Tunnel To Towers Foundation (t2t.org)."
Blake wrote his own bio a few years back:
At the age of 18 and a somewhat lost business major at Pierce College in Southern California, I happened to wander into the campus center to check out a radio station KPCR.
Being a big rock fan and watching the DJs through the glass, it sure looked interesting and after several more visits to the station, they let me anchor the news to get started.
That job quickly turned to becoming manager of the station and playing D.J. at the same time.
After two years of college radio it was time to send out audition tapes and one landed at WABB in Mobile, Alabama where my parents were living.
The job was morning news anchor and it stuck for a run of over well over 40 years, stops that included Mobile. then it was B-97 in New Orleans with Cajun Ken and then back to Southern Cal for 8 years at news talker KFI Los Angeles.
Many awards for news and reporting including AP, UPI and Golden Mikes but despite success New Orleans never left my soul and after 8 years at KFI it was time to comeback to land of Crawfish and Jazz Fest.
In 1989, I joined with Scoot on Magic 101.9 FM doing morning news and sidekick fun.
WWL 870 am was right next door and that began nearly 3 decades and my good fortune at one of the great radio stations in America.