Bob Barry Sr.
Bob Barry, Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert Barry, Sr. February 28, 1931 Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | October 30, 2011 (aged 80) Norman, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Occupation | Sportscaster |
| Years active | 1959-2011 |
Robert "Bob" Barry, Sr. (February 28, 1931 – October 30, 2011) was an American television and radio sportscaster, and was formerly the weeknight sports anchor during the 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts on Oklahoma City, Oklahoma NBC affiliate KFOR-TV, until his retirement in 2008. He also previously served as the station's sports director. Barry graduated from Classen High School in 1946, and studied journalism at the University of Oklahoma before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1951. Barry is known for being the longtime voice of the University of Oklahoma Sooners sports teams.
Broadcasting career
Barry began his career in broadcasting began in 1956 at KNOR radio (now KREF) in Norman, Oklahoma, as a salesman, disc jockey and sportscaster. In 1961, former University of Oklahoma head football coach Bud Wilkinson selected Barry to call OU basketball and football games. Barry continued as the University of Oklahoma's play-by-play announcer until 1972, when he began calling games for the University of Tulsa from 1973–1974, and Oklahoma State University from 1973 to 1990, before returning to OU in 1991.
Barry became sports anchor at WKY-TV (now KFOR-TV) in 1966 and was named the station's sports director in 1970. Barry has been awarded Oklahoma's Sportscaster of the Year by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters, and was inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. In 2008, he was recognized as a distinguished alumni by the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma. Barry was a former member of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association's Board of Directors and has served on many nonprofit and civic boards in Norman, Oklahoma.[1]
In 1997, Barry turned over his sports director duties to his younger son, Bob Barry, Jr. (who then worked as the 10 p.m. sports anchor). In December 2008, Barry retired from KFOR-TV and television broadcasting. In September 2009, Barry was honored with the Oklahoma City Public Schools' Wall of Fame Humanitarian Award.[2] At the end of the 2010-11 OU men's basketball season, Barry retired from play-by-play duties due to health issues, turning the duties over to local sportscaster Toby Rowland (formerly of Oklahoma City CBS affiliate KWTV).[3]
Death
Barry died in his Norman, Oklahoma home on October 30, 2011, at the age of 80; he was found inside his home after some neighbors grew concerned that he had not picked up his morning newspaper. The cause of death has yet to be released.[4][5] He is survived by two sons, Bob Barry, Jr. and Frank Barry, the latter of whom is currently working as a teacher in the Norman Public School system.[6]
References
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "OKC Events: September 28, 2009 | Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City)". Find Articles. 2009-09-28. Retrieved 2011-10-30.
- ^ Signing off: Bob Barry to retire as OU announcer at season's end
- ^ Bob Barry Sr. passes at the age of 80, KFOR-TV, October 30, 2011.
- ^ Veteran Okla. sports announcer Bob Barry Sr. dies
- ^ Services pending for Bob Barry Sr., The Norman Transcript, October 30, 2011.
External links
- Voices of Oklahoma interview with Bob Barry, Sr. First person interview conducted with Bob Barry, Sr. on March 31, 2011. Original audio and transcript archived with Voices of Oklahoma oral history project.