CHARLOTTE (AP) – WBTV broadcaster Jim Patterson, who became the first announcer on North Carolina's first television station 37 years ago, was killed Monday night in a one-car accident in Charlotte.
About 8:30 p.m. Monday, Patterson apparently lost control of his car after it struck a curb, police said. The car ran off the road and flipped over, throwing him out. Patterson was pinned beneath the car, police said.
The Asheville native, who turned 62 two weeks ago, came to Charlotte from Johnson City, Tenn., in 1949. He made his debut on WBTV on July 15, 1949.
Good-natured and smooth voiced, Patterson was the host of WBTV's "The Morning Report," an early morning news and variety show and weatherman on this station's "Top O' the Day" show, broadcast at noon. He had held several positions at WBTV.
"Jim Patterson was the most versatile performer on the air we ever had. He could do most anything," said Charles Crutchfield, former president of Jefferson-Pilot Communications, WBTV's parent company. "This will be a tremendous loss for our company and for the city."
Russ Ford, assistant public affairs director for Jefferson Pilot Communications, said, "Over the years, he has done just about everything that's been done here."
Generations of youngsters grew up seeing him as "Uncle Jim" on cowboy Fred Kirby's "Cartoon Corral" show. He was Bozo the Clown for three years. He was on the air for several early morning news and talk shows. For two years, he was the stations editorial voice.
In a 1983 interview, Patterson said early television announcers had to be more versatile than today's. "You might have to talk for several minutes on taxidermy. Or why you should buy Treasury Bonds," Patterson said. "I believe in change, but there are some things I will not compromise. You can't manufacture a human being."
Patterson is survived by his wife, Julia, and four children. Funeral arrangements were incomplete.
Article published in the Rock Hill Herald on 7/29/1986.
About 8:30 p.m. Monday, Patterson apparently lost control of his car after it struck a curb, police said. The car ran off the road and flipped over, throwing him out. Patterson was pinned beneath the car, police said.
The Asheville native, who turned 62 two weeks ago, came to Charlotte from Johnson City, Tenn., in 1949. He made his debut on WBTV on July 15, 1949.
Good-natured and smooth voiced, Patterson was the host of WBTV's "The Morning Report," an early morning news and variety show and weatherman on this station's "Top O' the Day" show, broadcast at noon. He had held several positions at WBTV.
"Jim Patterson was the most versatile performer on the air we ever had. He could do most anything," said Charles Crutchfield, former president of Jefferson-Pilot Communications, WBTV's parent company. "This will be a tremendous loss for our company and for the city."
Russ Ford, assistant public affairs director for Jefferson Pilot Communications, said, "Over the years, he has done just about everything that's been done here."
Generations of youngsters grew up seeing him as "Uncle Jim" on cowboy Fred Kirby's "Cartoon Corral" show. He was Bozo the Clown for three years. He was on the air for several early morning news and talk shows. For two years, he was the stations editorial voice.
In a 1983 interview, Patterson said early television announcers had to be more versatile than today's. "You might have to talk for several minutes on taxidermy. Or why you should buy Treasury Bonds," Patterson said. "I believe in change, but there are some things I will not compromise. You can't manufacture a human being."
Patterson is survived by his wife, Julia, and four children. Funeral arrangements were incomplete.
Article published in the Rock Hill Herald on 7/29/1986.
CHARLOTTE (AP) – WBTV broadcaster Jim Patterson, who became the first announcer on North Carolina's first television station 37 years ago, was killed Monday night in a one-car accident in Charlotte.
About 8:30 p.m. Monday, Patterson apparently lost control of his car after it struck a curb, police said. The car ran off the road and flipped over, throwing him out. Patterson was pinned beneath the car, police said.
The Asheville native, who turned 62 two weeks ago, came to Charlotte from Johnson City, Tenn., in 1949. He made his debut on WBTV on July 15, 1949.
Good-natured and smooth voiced, Patterson was the host of WBTV's "The Morning Report," an early morning news and variety show and weatherman on this station's "Top O' the Day" show, broadcast at noon. He had held several positions at WBTV.
"Jim Patterson was the most versatile performer on the air we ever had. He could do most anything," said Charles Crutchfield, former president of Jefferson-Pilot Communications, WBTV's parent company. "This will be a tremendous loss for our company and for the city."
Russ Ford, assistant public affairs director for Jefferson Pilot Communications, said, "Over the years, he has done just about everything that's been done here."
Generations of youngsters grew up seeing him as "Uncle Jim" on cowboy Fred Kirby's "Cartoon Corral" show. He was Bozo the Clown for three years. He was on the air for several early morning news and talk shows. For two years, he was the stations editorial voice.
In a 1983 interview, Patterson said early television announcers had to be more versatile than today's. "You might have to talk for several minutes on taxidermy. Or why you should buy Treasury Bonds," Patterson said. "I believe in change, but there are some things I will not compromise. You can't manufacture a human being."
Patterson is survived by his wife, Julia, and four children. Funeral arrangements were incomplete.
Article published in the Rock Hill Herald on 7/29/1986.
About 8:30 p.m. Monday, Patterson apparently lost control of his car after it struck a curb, police said. The car ran off the road and flipped over, throwing him out. Patterson was pinned beneath the car, police said.
The Asheville native, who turned 62 two weeks ago, came to Charlotte from Johnson City, Tenn., in 1949. He made his debut on WBTV on July 15, 1949.
Good-natured and smooth voiced, Patterson was the host of WBTV's "The Morning Report," an early morning news and variety show and weatherman on this station's "Top O' the Day" show, broadcast at noon. He had held several positions at WBTV.
"Jim Patterson was the most versatile performer on the air we ever had. He could do most anything," said Charles Crutchfield, former president of Jefferson-Pilot Communications, WBTV's parent company. "This will be a tremendous loss for our company and for the city."
Russ Ford, assistant public affairs director for Jefferson Pilot Communications, said, "Over the years, he has done just about everything that's been done here."
Generations of youngsters grew up seeing him as "Uncle Jim" on cowboy Fred Kirby's "Cartoon Corral" show. He was Bozo the Clown for three years. He was on the air for several early morning news and talk shows. For two years, he was the stations editorial voice.
In a 1983 interview, Patterson said early television announcers had to be more versatile than today's. "You might have to talk for several minutes on taxidermy. Or why you should buy Treasury Bonds," Patterson said. "I believe in change, but there are some things I will not compromise. You can't manufacture a human being."
Patterson is survived by his wife, Julia, and four children. Funeral arrangements were incomplete.
Article published in the Rock Hill Herald on 7/29/1986.
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