A graduate of Western Carolina University, Van McKinney held a 38-year tenure at the local AM/FM radio station that serves McDowell County with country music, local news, weather and sports.
FILE PHOTO
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Sports director/announcer Van McKinney (right) and sports announcer Walt Bagwell (left) calling a football game over the radio during a cold night at East Burke High School.
Former WBRM radio personality, announcer and reporter Van McKinney died on Monday, Sept. 22. He was 67 years old. This photo by long-time photographer Jim Burgin shows McKinney when he was honored for his support of Titan athletics for 1989-1990.
A visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 26 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Beam Celebration Center, with the funeral service beginning at 11:30 a.m. McKinney will be laid to rest afterward at Hughes Cemetery in Avery County.
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Van was an excellent reporter who will be miss greatly. Over the years he called me many times about community projects and matters going on in the legislature(mostly when I was on my way to Raleigh over the almost 18 years I represented McDowell County in the North Carolina House of Representatives. He always started by asking if I had time to talk to him, which I always did. He was polite, fair and accurate. I not only got to think of Van as a very good reporter, but also to think of him as a friend. McDowell County has lost a treasure. Rest in peace my friend. Bob Hunter
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Sports director/announcer Van McKinney (right) and sports announcer Walt Bagwell (left) calling a football game over the radio during a cold night at East Burke High School.
A graduate of Western Carolina University, Van McKinney held a 38-year tenure at the local AM/FM radio station that serves McDowell County with country music, local news, weather and sports.
Former WBRM radio personality, announcer and reporter Van McKinney died on Monday, Sept. 22. He was 67 years old. This photo by long-time photographer Jim Burgin shows McKinney when he was honored for his support of Titan athletics for 1989-1990.
(1) entry
Van was an excellent reporter who will be miss greatly. Over the years he called me many times about community projects and matters going on in the legislature(mostly when I was on my way to Raleigh over the almost 18 years I represented McDowell County in the North Carolina House of Representatives. He always started by asking if I had time to talk to him, which I always did. He was polite, fair and accurate. I not only got to think of Van as a very good reporter, but also to think of him as a friend. McDowell County has lost a treasure. Rest in peace my friend. Bob Hunter
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THANK YOU for helping us ensure that all guest book entries are positive and considerate. If you see a negative or inappropriate comment, please click on the link in the comment to report it, and a staff member will follow up immediately.