A local television newscaster who was a staple of Cincinnati morning television for decades has died.
John Lomax, who worked as an anchor and reporter for WKRC Local 12 for 39 years, including 32 as co-host of “Good Morning Cincinnati,” has died at the age of 72, according to a statement released by his family.
Lomax died of complications from pneumonia, her family said. Cincinnati Enquirer.
“We, the Lomax family, have sad news to share with you,” the family said in a statement Wednesday.
“This morning, husband, father, and arguably the greatest Pop-Pop of all time, Coasty Roscoe (as his family nicknamed him) unexpectedly departed for eternity on the starry beaches.”
The station mourned Lomax’s death, calling him “the heart and soul of Local 12 for 40 years.”
Colleagues remembered Lomax as a “mentor” and “second father” to young reporters who sought his advice.
“When I lost my father, I called John instead. He was always there,” Local 12 newscaster and anchor Bob Herzog told the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Herzog said Lomax was beloved by everyone at WKRC and that his call letters were the inspiration for the classic sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati.”
“We called his office the counselor’s office,” Herzog said.
“It was a place where someone went to talk about something.”
Herzog said Lomax provided a supportive ear “both when we worked together for 18 or 19 years and when he was just a newly hired producer.”
“He had a very calm demeanor.”
Lomax, who retired two years ago, said one of the highlights of his career was covering Super Bowl XXIII in Miami, where his hometown Bengals played the San Francisco 49ers.
The Niners defeated the Bengals 20-16.
