Brandy McDonnellThe Oklahoman
(This story was updated to add photos.)
Trailblazing meteorologist Gary England — who for four decades appealed to Oklahoma television audiences to "Stay tuned; we'll keep you advised" — died Tuesday, June 10. He was 85.
A native of Seiling, England retired in 2013 as the chief meteorologist for KWTV, after joining the Oklahoma City CBS-affiliated TV station in 1972.
KWTV co-anchor Amanda Taylor announced England's death on News 9's 10 p.m. newscast on Tuesday, June 10.
When he stepped away from the green screens in the News 9 Weather Center after 41 years, England was lauded by NPR as "Oklahoma's Master Meteorologist," while The New York Times hailed him as "The Weather God of Oklahoma City."
"Gary England was a weather coverage pioneer; there is no telling how many future meteorologists he influenced in his many years making weather science available and understandable to as many Oklahomans as possible. He 'raised' an entire generation of future meteorologists who now carry on his legacy," said Sherry Marshall, the John E. Kirkpatrick President and CEO of Science Museum Oklahoma, in an email to The Oklahoman.
"Beyond his impact on future generations, countless lives were saved through his commitment and dedication of building better weather awareness and keeping us safe. Gary England simply shaped the way Oklahomans understand weather."
Popular TV meteorologist developed a fascination with storms from a young age
Born Oct. 3, 1939, to Hazel and Leslie England, the future weatherman was still a teenager when he charged a $16 camera to his father's account at the Seiling drugstore and started taking photographs of the clouds rolling across the northwestern Oklahoma skies.
"I liked storms. They scared the heck out of me, but I loved them. I always was just that way," England told The Oklahoman in a 2002 interview.
After graduating from Seiling High School in 1957, he joined the Navy with plans to be in the Navy Weather Service. After “two years, 11 months, 22 days” in the military, England completed his service and returned to the Sooner State.
He met his future wife, Mary Carlisle, during a short stint attending Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. He soon transferred to the University of Oklahoma in Norman, where he completed his bachelor's degree in mathematics and meteorology in 1965.
England joined Oklahoma City's KTOK radio in 1971. He started his pioneering television career the following year, when he joined KWTV as the station's chief meteorologist.
Oklahoma weatherman's small-town upbringing helped him connect with viewers
The Oklahoma native quickly became internationally acclaimed for his innovations in forecasting technology. With the firm Enterprise Electronics, England implemented the world’s first commercial Doppler weather radar in 1981, becoming the first person in history to use Doppler radar for direct warnings to the public.
Along with earning top ratings, England developed tools that are now commonplace in TV severe weather coverage, including the storm "time of arrival" warning system, corner screen warning maps and cellular still picture and video transmission.
"Gary England was one of the pioneers of modern television meteorology. He developed the storm tracker system ... and charmed two generations of viewers," said Oklahoma City author, attorney and historian Bob Burke in an email to The Oklahoman.
"Perhaps his greatest asset was his ability to keep latchkey children calm in the face of a deadly tornado coming their way."
With his folksy, friendly demeanor and quirky sayings, he said England was able to connect with Oklahoma viewers, helping them to better understand weather phenomena and take the proper precautions when needed.
The meteorologist became famed for opening his Friday night weather reports by declaring, “It’s Friday night in the big town," a tribute to his small-town upbringing that became the title of Burke's biography of the acclaimed broadcaster.
"Gary was a great husband, father, and one of the friendliest people who I ever met in life. He was truly one of the good guys," Burke said.
Oklahoman gained international acclaim for his innovative approaches to covering severe weather
The author of four books, England made a memorable cameo in the opening moments of the hit 1996 movie "Twister," which was filmed and set in Oklahoma.
He appeared in more than 60 national and international severe weather programs, particularly after the historically devastating EF5 tornado that tore through Moore on May 3, 1999.
"That tornado almost took me out of the business," England told The Oklahoman in 1999. "It was horrible. I couldn't believe it was happening. ... But I love what I do and I'm still here."
During his four-decade broadcasting career, England earned numerous state, regional and national honors, including multiple Emmys, the Silver Circle Award by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Heartland Division, and the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for best in the nation in breaking weather coverage in all large markets.
He was inducted into the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2013.
"He was a true Oklahoma icon whose groundbreaking work in meteorology not only earned him international recognition but, more importantly, provided Oklahomans with vital information needed to stay safe during severe weather," said Shannon L. Rich, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, in an email.
"His legacy of innovation, dedication to the safety of the general public, and ability to make learning about weather fun will forever be a source of immense pride for our state."
England was the keynote speaker for the 2006 dedication of the new National Weather Center in Norman. In 2008, he was named an OU Outstanding Alumnus, and in 2014, his alma mater bestowed on him its highest honor: an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
Upon his retirement as News 9 chief meteorologist in 2013, England assumed a new role at KWTV as the vice president for corporate relations and weather development at Griffin Communications. He was named OU’s consulting meteorologist in residence two years later.
England is survived by his wife, Mary, daughter, Molly, and grandchildren Chloe and Cassidy.
