Charles Porter, a longtime radio broadcaster, died Wednesday after a final broadcast on the station which he, literally, helped to build.
Porter, host of KIRX(AM)’s “Party Line” since 1956, conducted a phone interview at 10 a.m. during a broadcast commemorating the station’s 60th anniversary before passing away at his Kirksville, Mo., home, according to the Kirksville Daily Express via RadioDailyNews.com.
He was 86.
Porter served in the U.S. Army Signal Corp from 1942–46 before completing radio school in Kansas City. He came back to Kirksville and helped construct KIRX in 1947. While serving as chief engineer at the station, he also helped build radio stations throughout Missouri, including KMMO(AM), Marshall; and KMEM(FM), Memphis.
Additionally, Porter was a charter member of the Northeast Missouri Amateur Radio Club, and served as a board member of the American Red Cross.
