Dave Ward to step down from KTRK ABC13's 10pm news

Dave Ward to start 2015 with reduced workload; his last 10pm will be December 23rd

Yesterday, KTRK abc13 anchor Dave Ward celebrated his 48th anniversary with the Houston ABC owned station. Today, the station issued a press release saying Ward will cut back on newscasts with the start of 2015.

UPDATE DECEMBER 24, 2014
Dave Ward ready to party at end of 10pm news bash

Here is the full release:

Dave Ward

Dave Ward, who has anchored ABC-13 Eyewitness News for nearly fifty years, announced today that he will reduce his workload later this year. Ward, a trusted journalist who successfully steered KTRK’s news broadcasts to new heights, told the Eyewitness News team that beginning in 2015, he will only anchor ABC-13's 6:00 p.m. newscasts. His last regularly scheduled 10:00 p.m. newscast will be December 23rd, though he will occasionally join the 10:00 team for Special Reporting on topics of interest.

Dave Ward: “You have invited me into your hearts and into your homes, you have trusted me with the day’s news, and I have trusted you to be there, and you have been, for almost 48 years. I am honored and humbled to still be doing the work I love, anchoring ABC-13 Eyewitness News. So let’s be clear...I’m not going anywhere! I’m just going to go home a little earlier, that’s all.”

ABC-13 Eyewitness News has long been Houston’s most-trusted and most-watched source for local news; and Ward’s leadership helped pave the way. Today, ABC-13 broadcasts 42 hours of news a week and ABC13.com is Houston’s largest broadcast news website serving over sixty million pages and 4 million videos each month.

Wendy Granato, KTRK-TV Vice President and News & Digital Content Director: “Dave’s dedication, commitment, and professionalism set high standards that have been a tradition in our newsroom. And even though we will miss Dave at ten, that tradition isn’t going to change.”

Henry Florsheim, KTRK-TV President and General Manager: “Our news team is second to none. And we won’t miss a beat at ten.”

Anchors Gina Gaston and Ilona Carson, Chief Meteorologist Tim Heller, and Sports Director Greg Bailey, supported by the city’s largest reporting staff, will continue serving 10:00 p.m. news viewers.

Dave Ward: “The 10:00 team will continue reporting with the same level of comprehensiveness, accuracy and integrity that has become the standard of Eyewitness News.”

To several generations of Houston news viewers, Dave Ward’s commanding presence and trusted voice are synonymous with local TV news. In the most recent Nielsen audience measurement period ending in October, the newscasts Ward anchors at 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. finished first in Households and Adults 25-54.

Henry Florsheim: “Over four decades anchoring a top-rated newscast for a major market network affiliate is virtually unheard of and unprecedented. Dave Ward is a Houston News Institution and it’s my privilege to say that Ward is part of the best news team in town.”

Dave Ward joined KTRK-TV in 1966 as the station’s only news reporter. In early 1967, he was named anchor of Channel 13's weekday 7:00 a.m. newscasts. Later that year, he became the first host of the popular "Dialing for Dollars" program. A year later, in January of 1968, Ward was promoted to anchor of Eyewitness News at 6 and 10. He quickly led the news broadcasts to number one in Houston and, to this day, Ward remains Houston’s most-watched news anchor.

Currently, Dave Ward serves as board-member for the Houston Police Foundation and the Houston Children’s Charities. From early in his career, Ward has taken an active role in ABC-13’s reputation as a leader in the community, whether it’s the station’s live coverage of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Parade or Share Your Holidays Food Drive. He has served as President of the local Easter Seals Society and hosted their TV Telethons; Ward Chaired the Public Affairs Advisory Board of the Houston Business Council; was a member of the Public Information Committee for the American Cancer Society; served as a member of the Leukemia Society Board of Directors; and as a Board Member of the Houston Press Club of Houston. Dave Ward’s significant role in the establishment of the Houston Crime Stoppers Program became the model of excellence for similar programs across the nation.

RELATED
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Dave Ward ready to party at end of 10pm news bash

KTRK abc13 legend Dave Ward celebrates his last 10pm newscast at Tony's with TV friends and family

Dave Ward & Mike McGuff

With microphone in hand, KTRK abc13 anchor Dave Ward addressed friends and family at Tony's with something he claimed he always wanted to say on TV. He then ruffled his perfectly coiffed hair with his hand and yelled, "let's party!"

With a roar from the party crowd, the official celebration of the longest running anchor in America's last 10pm newscast on the Disney/ABC Television Group began Tuesday night.

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PHOTOS
See pictures from the Dave Ward Tony's party!
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I can't say that I've blogged about many historic moments in my almost ten years of blogging about the Houston media, but this week, I think we all just lived through one.

Ward, who started anchoring the 6 and 10pm KTRK abc13 newscasts in 1968, officially stepped down from the late news last night. He will continue anchoring the 6pm news.

There are many Houstonians, me included, who have not lived a day without Dave Ward being the 10pm anchor. Not only did he help raise the station to unbelievable ratings during that time, but Ward is a Houston institution. He was there through wars, political upheaval, NASA's triumphs/struggles, economic booms/recessions, our sports teams winning/losing...etc. Think of all the city and area county leaders that have come and gone since Ward has sat in the anchor chair.

Now for some personal Ward stories I don't think I've ever shared on my blog. For a high profile TV anchor, Ward is really the most humble news guy you could encounter. Believe me, many in his position would not be that way. Think the Ted Baxter or Ron Burgundy caricature concerning lead anchormen in the zeitgeist. Ward, the man, is actually a quiet presence who you can catch whistling to himself down the hallway who keeps to himself much of the time.

When I first got to KTRK, I was at the station cafeteria, run by Novlean Smith at the time, and who walked in but Dave Ward. I couldn't help but ask did he ever think when he started at the station all those years ago that he would rise to such success and be the top anchor all these years. His answer was something like, "No, but also no one else offered me another job." That is a line I have heard him use other times, but it kind of explains his attitude.

As a young special projects producer, I got quite an early assignment. Go with Dave Ward to Austin and produce his interview with Heisman Trophy winner and Pro Football Hall of Famer Earl Campbell. Wow. Talk about pressure for me.

So there I was, the night before the big interview having dinner with Ward, Campbell, Campbell's wife Reuna and the future Mrs. McGuff who was living in Austin at the time.

It was an amazing evening. All I could do was sit back and soak in the stories these two legends were telling.

Afterwards, we had drinks with Ward at the famous Driskill Hotel along Sixth Street. The World Series was on TV and Ward was calling the game between the the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees. It was immediately obvious that even in another city, people recognized Dave Ward since they could not stop staring.

My original channel 13 cafeteria questioning continued since I had Ward's undivided attention. Naturally I had to ask about Marvin Zindler and the famous "Thank you Marvin" line. He told me many times it was all he could say without cracking up after Zindler's wild on-air antics.

The next day, Ward and I showed up at the interview with photographer Jim Myers and found some unexpected people at Campbell's office. Turns out, Campbell told friends in Houston that Ward was interviewing him that day. Those friends then drove to Austin to specifically meet Dave Ward and get pictures with him.

Talk about star power.

Back to present day and last night's party, those in attendance were who you might expect to see honoring Ward. Friends ranging from Kitty Borah, to Jan Carson and Ed Brandon all the way to Art Rascon and Melanie Lawson surrounded the Houston TV legend. Former bosses Dave Strickland and Don Kobos joined the crowd calling Ward the best TV anchor in America.

And luckily, we'll still be able to Watch Dave at 6pm.

RELATED
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- PICS: KTRK 13 anchor Dave Ward's 45 year party
- VIDEO: KTRK 13 anchor Dave Ward's movie performance

The Dave Ward Building Crime Stoppers of Houston building opening

Dave and Laura Ward (Photo Credit: Roswitha Vogler, Photos by Rovo)

Las Friday was the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Crime Stoppers of Houston HQ, The Dave Ward Building.

I'm told Ward was very touched to see the completed building, which he hadn't visited in eight months. The last time he had seen the structure, construction workers were still building it.

Those who were in attendance tell me it was apparent Dave Ward was back after his heart troubles last December.

The anchor, who built KTRK abc13 from its humble origins to a massive ratings powerhouse over the years, gave a vintage Dave Ward performance for the crowd of Houston dignitaries (as you can read about below). He ended it by using his golden baritone voice to deliver the Crime Stoppers tip line as he always has but added let's get these "assholes" who committed these crimes off the street! The crowd ate it up.

Many of you have been asking when Dave Ward will say his previously scheduled December goodbye on KTRK abc13. I hear that is still in the works. Stay tuned to Dave Ward's Houston Facebook page where he will stay connected to his loyal viewers.

Here is the Crime Stoppers of Houston official press release:

Crime Stoppers of Houston officially cut the ribbon and opened the doors to the first-ever Crime Stoppers headquarters anywhere in the world on Friday, January 27, 2017. After 36 years of exemplary service in Houston, the historical building became Crime Stoppers' first permanent home. More than 250 prominent individuals including elected officials, community partners,foundations and corporations gathered at 3001 Main Street, Houston 77002 to celebrate The Dave Ward Building, Crime Stoppers of Houston. The facility was named in honor of Guinness World Record holder, Dave Ward, for his tenure as a television news anchor and for his significant contributions to the organization since its inception.

Laura Ward, Rania Mankarious, Rachael Bagwell, Jeff Bagwell, Dave Ward (Photo Credit: Roswitha Vogler, Photos by Rovo)

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony began with a presentation of colors and singing of the National Anthem by the Harris County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard, followed by a warm welcome from Rania Mankarious, Executive Director of Crime Stoppers. Houston City Council Member Brenda Stardig then took the stage to present a proclamation from Mayor Sylvester Turner declaring January 27, 2017 as the "First-ever Crime Stoppers Headquarters Day". Mankarious introduced Fenner Weller, Capital Campaign Co-chair and he spoke about the campaign to build the City's first public safety and crime prevention block and then an introduction to Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick followed. Once again, Mankarious kindly thanked Ward, the Building's Namesake for his incredible contribution to public safety and for putting Crime Stoppers of Houston in the national and international spotlight, and then invited him to take the stage.

Rania Mankarious and Jennifer Reyna (Photo Credit: Roswitha Vogler, Photos by Rovo)

Ward remarked that he will continue to maintain a presence in Houston and left the crowd cheering with his famous and internationally recognized Crime Stoppers Tip Line reenactment. Texas State Troopers presented Ward with a plaque and an official Texas Trooper cowboy hat for his dedication to helping law enforcement. The crowd gave Ward a standing ovation when Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee presented Ward with a Congressional Resolution that proclaims Ward's achievements in public safety. Mankarious and Crime Stoppers of Houston immediate past Board Chairmen Don DeGabrielle and Board Chairman Hazem Ahmed presented Ward with an "official" oversized keepsake key to The Dave Ward Building. With the key, Ward will forever have an office at the Crime Stoppers' headquarters. Mankarious gave her closing remarks and announced the Ribbon Cutting.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee presenting Dave Ward with a Congressional Resolution for his achievements in public safety (Photo Credit: Roswitha Vogler, Photos by Rovo)

The festivities continued after the doors to the building opened. Everyone was invited inside, where Crime Stoppers of Houston unveiled a surprise for the Building Namesake. Behind the curtains, the Dave Ward Tribute Wall was exposed and included photos spanning Ward's career. Memorabilia from Ward's career are also in display throughout the building. Guests were invited to a reception and a tour of the facility. Food and drinks were provided by Kroger.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez Dave Ward (Photo Credit: Roswitha Vogler, Photos by Rovo)

Notable elected officials included: Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, State Representative Tom Oliverson, Harris County Commissioner Jack Cagle, Council Member Brenda Stardig, Council Member Jack Christie, Council Member Karla Cisneros, Council Member Mike Knox, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzales, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, Constable Alan Rosen, and others.

Jan Carson, Shara Fryer, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg (Photo Credit: Roswitha Vogler, Photos by Rovo)

Others celebrating with Crime Stoppers included:
Houston Police Department Chief of Police Art Acevedo, Laura Ward, Jeff Bagwell, Sue Smith, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Jennifer Reyna, Alan and Gary Becker, Tena Faust, Tama Lundquist, Melanie Lawson, Art Rascon, Joy Partain, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Carol Sawyer, and others.


About The Dave Ward Building, Crime Stoppers Of Houston:
Occupying an entire square block in Midtown, the new Crime Stoppers facility is also the City of Houston's first Public Safety and Crime Prevention block and serves as a hub for crime prevention - housing centralized Crime Stoppers operations, staff, volunteers, law enforcement, safe community/safe school programming and media outreach teams in a single three-story 28,000-square-foot building.


Each facet of the new Crime Stoppers headquarters works to expand the organization's community programming and serve its vital mission to solve and prevent crime. The organization recognizes that the community can play an active role in keeping themselves safe, therefore, the entire first floor of the building is designed specifically to service the community at no charge. This includes access to a 2,500 square foot multi-purpose community center that will be used for safety seminars and informational events; a victim's family services room for families and investigators; press conference room and media editing areas equipped with on-site tools available to members of the media to relay important, time-sensitive information to news outlets.

Additionally and within a highly secure setting, law enforcement partners assigned to the Crime Stoppers Tip Line Program (713-222-TIPS) will have a dedicated space to answer the tip line and manage day to day operations.

Dave Ward and Olivia Mankarious

Outside the facility, a 12,800-square-foot Harris County Sheriff's Officers Memorial Garden will be built to pay tribute to heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. This serene memorial - the first ever of its kind paying tribute to fallen County officers, will be overseen daily by an on-site officer and welcome any and all to honor fallen heroes. Moreover, this inviting square will serve as a graceful addition to the revitalized Midtown Houston cityscape and constant reminder of the community's commitment to crime prevention and resolution.

For information about Crime Stoppers of Houston or to give to the building campaign, please visit www.crime-stoppers.org or contact Rania Mankarious at rmankarious@crime-stoppers.org or 713-817-5678.


FULL INTERVIEWS: Hear Dave Ward's stories about his past

RELATED
Dave Ward to have a building named after him - Crime Stoppers of Houston Gala

(This post is taken from a press release sent to me by Crime Stoppers of Houston)

Dave Ward to move on from abc13 KTRK

UPATE AUGUST 12, 2016
Dave Ward on KTRK abc13: "They seemed like they really wanted me to make my exit."

After hitting 50 years on KTRK abc13, anchor Dave Ward will move on from the TV station he helped build into one of the nation's best

Dave Ward

As I wrote in 2013, can you imagine Houston TV without Dave Ward? Well, soon we'll see what its like without Ward, "the dean of Houston news," on KTRK abc13 at least.

Ward is leaving channel 13 at the end of 2016, the only TV station he's ever worked for and helped build from the ground up.

So after Ward hits 50 years with the station November 9th, and enters the Guinness World Records for the feat, he will leave his television home for the last five decades.

But don't expect Ward to retire or even necessarily stop working as a TV journalist. Sources close to Ward say he is not ready to stop reporting and delivering the news to his loyal Houston audience.

"Dave has not taken time in his lifetime to have any hobbies," Dave's wife Laura Ward told mikemcguff.com. "His hobby is staying connected with his viewers and he has done that for 50 years."

He certainly goes out on top and departs channel 13 in a better place than when he got there. Upon his arrival in the late 1960s, KHOU 11 and KPRC 2 were the dominant news stations. Ward changed that. His newscasts soared to ratings highs in the early 70s and stayed that way for the next 45 years. Fast forward to today and Ward's 6pm show is still at the top of the ratings game. Ward left the 10pm newscasts at the end of 2014.

Houston is Dave Ward and Dave Ward is Houston. He has one of the most recognizable faces in the city. TV insiders will tell you he has the highest TV recognition in the market with viewers.

Ward is a no nonsense type of local television news anchor. That's a commodity in today's media landscape. He was "no spin" before that became the mantra of a cable news channel. Ward delivers the facts without opinion. After all these years, I could not tell you Ward's political beliefs from watching his newscasts.

From a community standpoint, Dave Ward has been that calm, steady voice inside our homes for the last 50 years. I would go as far as to say he has been a father, uncle or brother figure to generations of Houston TV viewers.

As I have blogged before, on the day I was born, in its TV section the Houston Chronicle listed Ward, Ed Brandon and Bob Allen as the talent on that day's Live at 5 broadcast.

So while Ward's life after channel 13 is unknown to us at this point, his years of influence will still be felt. For example, the first-ever Crime Stoppers of Houston headquarters will be named The Dave Ward Building Crime Stoppers of Houston for his years of dedication to the program.

The ribbon cutting for that building is scheduled for mid-November 2016.


UPATE AUGUST 12, 2016
Dave Ward on KTRK abc13: "They seemed like they really wanted me to make my exit."

Here is the official Disney / ABC Television Group press release about Ward:

Longtime ABC13 News Anchor Dave Ward Announces He Will Leave in December

Veteran ABC13 News anchor Dave Ward, who will soon celebrate 50 years at ABC13 and was recently recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for his long tenure at the station, has announced he will leave KTRK by the end of the year.

“I am very proud of my work here at Channel 13 over the past 50 years. I will always cherish having witnessed firsthand the transformation of this great city,” said Mr. Ward. “I leave Channel 13 with a lifetime’s worth of memories, having reported on some of Houston’s greatest moments of triumph and tragedy, including the Moon landing in 1969, the first and last space shuttle launches and many in between, and the recovery efforts following Hurricane Ike in 2008. I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to my loyal viewers, my friends, without whom my extensive career would not have been possible. My 50 year tenure at Channel 13 represents the hallmark of my career, and I look forward to the next chapter.”

“Despite our attempts to find an ongoing role, Dave told us it is his preference to move on,” said Henry Florsheim, President and General Manager of KTRK-TV. “Dave has helped lead our station to the top, and provided a continuity and consistency to our newscasts. It is fitting that he remains a part of Houston’s most-watched 6:00 p.m. team. He will leave us at a time when we are well positioned to maintain our market leadership and compete in this very rapidly changing news environment.”

“Dave has mentored multiple generations of journalists in the importance of accuracy and fairness,” said ABC 13 News Director Wendy Granato. “He is a true local legend. We want to thank him for his many years of hard work and dedication to the Eyewitness News family and the Houston community.”

Mr. Ward will celebrate his 50th anniversary on November 9 of this year. The next day a first-in-the-nation Crime Stoppers Headquarters named for him will be opened in Houston. The new facility will be the cornerstone of Houston’s first Public Safety and Crime Prevention Block.

Getting the facts right, consistently -- that's what defines Dave Ward. A true Texas original, Dave has made his mark as one of the nation's most respected news anchors for more than four decades. In his trademark down-to-earth style, he begins every newscast with "Good evening, friends," and has for 50 years. It is that candor and dedication to getting every side of the story that's helped him become the most trusted newsman in Houston.

Dave joined KTRK-TV in 1966 as an on-the-street reporter/photographer. In 1967, he was assigned to anchor Channel 13's weekday 7am newscast. Later that year, he also became the first host of KTRK's "Dialing for Dollars." In 1968, Dave was assigned to anchor the weekday 6pm and 10pm newscasts where he remains as one Houston's most experienced news professionals.

Born in Dallas and raised in Huntsville, Dave began his broadcast radio career with KGKB in Tyler. Three years later, he moved to Waco, Texas and WACO radio, and then to Houston and KNUZ/KQUE radio. He started out as a reporter known for his grit and determination. Dave worked every angle of the story from the police beat to tropical storms. "I like that -- that I can get out on the streets, talk to the people -- see what they're thinking."

During his career with 13 Eyewitness News, Dave has reported on everything from presidential elections to space walks, and even the Vietnam Peace Talks. He's covered fires, explosions, earthquakes, flood and hurricanes throughout Texas and the southern states. He's interviewed heads of state and traveled to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua and Colombia on numerous stories. He's also covered several national political conventions and worked extensively with NASA on Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and shuttle missions. Dave also landed a special one-on-one interview with President Barack Obama, discussing topics from the presidential campaign to oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

Dave has taken an active role in the establishment of the Houston Crime Stoppers program, which has become the model of excellence for similar programs across the nation. He's also taken a lead in Houston's community affairs, serving as the President of the local Easter Seals Society, chairing the Public Affairs Advisory Board of the Houston Business Council, and working with the American Cancer Society. In addition, Dave has served as a member of the Leukemia Society Board of Directors and Board Member of Houston Press Club. He's also an original contributor to the Houston Police Foundation and has served on their Board of Directors.

In 2007, Dave was awarded an Emmy for his exceptional work on an ABC-13 Special entitled, "Steve Tyrell: A Houston Standard." Then in 2011, Dave received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in Broadcast Emmys presented by the Lone Star Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

In June 2016, Dave was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running local TV news anchor in the world at the same station in the same market.

The entry into the record book reads: “The longest career as a television news broadcaster is 49 years and 218 days, achieved by Dave Ward (USA), who began working on 9 November 1966 and continues anchoring at KTRK-TV, in Houston, Texas, USA, as verified on 2 June 2016.”

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How Dave Ward found love in charity

KTRK abc13's Dave Ward is more than the anchor who shows up, waves, takes photos and is whisked away into the night

Dave Ward wouldn't have lasted 50 years at the same station if he didn't give back to Houston. As the main KTRK abc13 anchor hits 50 years with the station, I've been featuring excerpts from my sit-down interview with Ward all this week.

This time, we talk his giving side. During the interview, I sensed Ward got a little uncomfortable when I brought the subject up.

If you know Ward, he's not someone to bring attention to himself off the television screen, but I figured if you want to get to the root of who Ward is, this topic should be on the table.

Any big time anchor is be expected to be involved in their city's charity world. That's how the TV stations helps their communities. Ward is no stranger to the lights and stages that come with being a broadcasting personality helping out a non-profit. In fact, I have featured Ward doing good deeds around town on this very blog, but there is more to the Guinness World Record holder than just getting his photo featured in the society column (more on that below).

Ward's work with Crime Stoppers is so well known that the organization's first-ever headquarters will be named The Dave Ward Building Crime Stoppers of Houston.

But I would be remiss if I didn't bring up one particular charitable event that changed Ward's life.

Twenty-five years ago, Laura Rowe, the executive director of The Variety Club of Houston, called Ward to see if he would serve as the master of ceremonies for the group's annual fundraising gala.

When the KTRK anchor showed up, he was smitten by Rowe who was wearing a red dress.

"The closer I got, the more beautiful she became," Ward laughed as he told me. "And when I was about ten feet away from her, the thought hit me, 'That's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life.'"

Laura went on to found and serve as executive director of Houston Children's Charity. Ward continued emceeing Rowe's events.

Eventually the two married and you won't find a bigger fan of Ward's than Laura.

Then there are the small acts. UCLA basketball coach John Wooden famously said, "The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching."

First his well known penchant for tipping.

"Well, I have a enormous respect for waiters and waitresses, who work long, hard hours, and they have to put up with so many complaints from most people," Ward told mikemcguff.com. "I try not to complain. If, the food's edible, I'll eat it. And, yeah, I've always kinda been a, an over-tipper, anyway. Uh, my wife Laura, she's scaled me back a little bit on that now. I just have a tremendous respect for the, the people in the services industry, especially waiters and waitresses and bus boys, the ones who deal with the public every day. And I try to, you know, give 'em a little extra on the tip."

Another interest of Ward's is simply being there.

If you work in a newsroom, there are a lot of viewers who regularly call the station. Some are disabled, others lonely, but all of them feel the need for a human connection.

And why not call the person who comes into your home each day through the magic of TV?

Most of the time, the overworked staffers don't have time to deal with these calls and they get thrown to voicemail (in some cases that is the desired outcome by the caller believe it or not).

For those that do want to talk to a human, Ward makes time. Out of the many who call in, Ward has been talking to one channel 13 viewer named Gilbert for years. He tries to make time for him everyday.

"I try to put myself in Gilbert's shoes," Ward said. "And I know if I was Gilbert and I wanted to call this guy on the television, if he wouldn't talk to me, I'd feel a little offended, so I just talk to him. It's no big deal."

But it is a big deal to Gilbert.

Dave Ward will leave abc13 KTRK December 9th, 2016.

To follow Dave Ward after he leaves KTRK abc13, like Dave Ward's Houston.

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FULL COVERAGE: Dave Ward 50 Years KTRK abc13

Dave Ward, Houston TV icon, dies at age 86

Dave Ward, 86, a television icon, has passed away, according to his longtime broadcasting home, ABC13 Houston KTRK.

- Watch Ward's funeral service
- Dave Ward honored on "ABC World News Tonight with David Muir"

He is survived by his wife, Laura, three children, and three stepchildren. His son David Jr. passed away in 2023.

Anchor Tom Abrahams broke into the ABC primetime college game broadcast to announce the sad news to the Houston audience.

"Words cannot express my sadness over this larger-than-life Houston icon," former KTRK anchor Art Rascon told mikemcguff.com.  "I loved Dave Ward, and working beside him for more than two decades was an absolute blessing! Every day was an opportunity to learn and grow and truly understand what journalism was all about. He was the best and always will be!"

"He was not only a news legend, but a dear and close friend," former KTRK news director Dave Strickland told mikemcguff.com.  "I learned so much from Dave, both in television and in life. I will miss him dearly."

"He was a warm, funny, lovely man---and one of Dad's best friends. Such a loss," former KPRC 2 reporter Ron Stone, Jr. told mikemcguff.com.

A generation of Houston television viewers grew up with Dave Ward.

For 50 years, the powerful yet reassuring voice behind the ABC13 KTRK anchor desk guided the city through breaking news, triumphs, and tragedies. Ward delivered the news with unwavering integrity and authenticity.  Each newscast began with his signature greeting: “Good evening, friends.” 

Earning that trust meant everything. Ward insisted on balanced coverage, reporting both sides and getting the facts right. That relentless commitment to accuracy—paired with his warm, steady presence—is why he became known as “The Dean of Houston News.”

Since stepping away from the Channel 13 anchor desk in May 2017, Dave has continued sharing stories. His 2019 memoir, Good Evening, Friends: A Broadcaster Shares His Life, offers a rich look at his extraordinary career. He later returned to KTRK for the feature series “Dave Ward’s Houston.”

In 2021, he launched the “Dave Ward & Friends” video podcast, inviting audiences into casual conversations with the many remarkable people he’s met over more than six decades in broadcasting.

"I can recall so many times returning from a reporting trip and talking with him one on one, as he gave me more tips on how to cover a story," Rascon added.   "He was always a patient teacher, example, and the epitome of a journalist. I will miss him.  I will miss our occasional conversations after he retired, meeting for breakfast, and enjoying his captivating smile.  Love you Dave!  Your legacy lives on…even from heaven."

Mike McGuff and Dave Ward in 2016

Early Life

David Henry Ward was born in Dallas on May 6, 1939, though he grew up in Huntsville, Texas, where his father, Henry, served as pastor of the First Baptist Church.

While attending Tyler Junior College, Dave discovered broadcasting almost by accident, watching a fraternity brother spin records at KGKB radio. Soon, he was behind the microphone himself—after the station manager suggested that “David” sounded “too biblical” and the young announcer adopted the name listeners would come to know: Dave Ward.

KGKB’s easy-listening format flipped to rock ’n’ roll overnight with new ownership, and Dave adapted quickly. By the early 1960s, he had moved to WACO radio in Waco, shifting from music to news and eventually becoming program director.

Moving to Houston

In 1962, Dave moved his young family to Houston to join 1230 KNUZ-AM and KQUE, where he read news between Top 40 hits. He was later promoted to news director and ultimately inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, nominated by Houston radio legends Paul Berlin and Arch Yancy.

"Well, at KNUZ, we were very big on the space program, the man space program, because NASA was headquartered in Houston," Ward told mikemcguff in a 2016 interview. "They hadn't built the Space Center yet. They were in the process of building that, but they were in buildings all around the city."

Joining Channel 13

Dave made the leap to television in 1966, becoming KTRK’s sole street reporter and photographer—a true one-man news crew. He shot film on a hand-wound 16mm Bell & Howell camera, covered everything from fires to city hall, and even took his job interview in a Rice Village pool hall.

"The man who hired me. The news director, Ray Conaway," Ward told mikemcguff.com in 2016.  "He was an old, B-24 bomber pilot in World War II. And he met Willard Walbridge who was the station manager somewhere in the military. He was the news director and the anchor. We only did 15 minutes at 6:00PM and 15 minutes at 10:00PM. That was it. And, Ray had a very grim, delivery. "Here's the news," you know. And, in '67 they put me on the 7:00AM news, which I didn't even know we had, [laughs] to tell you the truth."

Though Dave initially took a $50 pay cut to move from radio to TV, he was soon anchoring the 7 a.m. newscast and co-hosting the popular “Dialing for Dollars.” 

"I went on the 7:00AM in January of '67 and that summer -- it seemed like it was April or May -- they decided they wanted to do this, like a game show in the morning from 9:00 to 10:00," Ward remembered in a 2016 mikemcguff.com interview. "It was an hour-long program. I made six phone calls during that hour, trying to give money away. It was a funny format."

In January 1968, he moved to the main anchor desk at 6 and 10 p.m. with Dan Ammerman. Off the air, he often continued working through the night, covering breaking news around the city.

In those early years, KTRK’s newscasts ranked third in a three-station market. Dave helped change that. Over time, Houstonians embraced Eyewitness News, and by the mid-1970s, channel 13 had climbed to number one—a position it held for decades.

Dave would go on to anchor alongside Jan Carson, Shara Fryer, and Gina Gaston, becoming one of the most recognized faces in Texas broadcasting.

Reporting Across the Globe

Ward’s reporting took him far beyond Houston. He covered national political conventions, the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs from Florida, and major disasters across Texas and the South. He reported from Mexico, Central America, and Colombia; traveled with a Houston delegation to the Paris Peace Talks; and studied mass transit in Germany.

His interviews spanned the spectrum—from U.S. Presidents to everyday Houstonians. Five presidents and Vice President Nelson Rockefeller sat down with him over the years.

- Dave Ward's father did not want him working at KTRK and other stories
- Dave Ward's honor saved by waitress and other radio stories
- Dave Ward traveled with the Houston Oilers for $15
- How Dave Ward found love in charity

Dedicated Community Leader

Dave’s service to Houston extends far beyond the newsroom. He has emceed countless charitable events and served on numerous boards, including Easter Seals, the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia Society, the Press Club of Houston, the Houston Police Foundation, and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. He broadcast the Rodeo Parade for an astounding 49 years.

In 1973, he received the City of Houston Public Service Award for his coverage of the Managua earthquake.

Perhaps his most transformative contribution is his work with Crime Stoppers of Houston. Dave was instrumental in launching the program in 1981, pioneering crime reenactments and helping shape Crime Stoppers chapters worldwide. The first Crime Stoppers headquarters in the United States, which opened in 2016, was named The Dave Ward Building in his honor.

Honors and Legacy

Dave’s accolades are numerous:

Leon Goldstein Award for outstanding service in fighting crime

Regional Emmy for his interviews with Steve Tyrell

Induction into the Silver Circle of the Lone Star Emmy Chapter

Induction into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Parade Grand Marshal

Induction into the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Hall of Fame

Induction into the Gold Circle of the Lone Star Emmy Chapter

Dave Ward honored with street name next to ABC13 Houston studios

KTRK Anchor Emeritus Dave Ward Plaque unveiling and dedication ceremony

Most notably, Dave holds a Guinness World Record:

**“The longest career as a television news broadcaster—49 years and 218 days”—**all at the same station, on the same newscast.

A remarkable achievement for a remarkable man.

Dave Ward's career is not simply a record of journalism. It is the story of a trusted voice, a steady presence, and a lifelong commitment to the city he loves...one “Good evening, friends” at a time.

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Can you imagine Houston TV after Dave Ward?

Dave Ward wants to hit 50 years with KTRK abc13 - but what happens to us after that?

UPDATE NOVEMBER 10, 2014
Dave Ward to step down from KTRK ABC13's 10pm news
Dave Ward to start 2015 with reduced workload

Bob Allen, Laura Ward, Dave Ward

While I was on my blogging break, David Barron wrote about Dave Ward's latest contract extension. Ward's goal is to stay on KTRK abc13 for 50 years.

Then it hit me...we will one day have Houston TV without Dave Ward (I guess we had David Ward for a spell, but that's a different story).

As I said on the radio a few weeks ago, on the day I was born, The Houston Chronicle listed Ward, Ed Brandon and Bob Allen as the talent on that day's Live at 5 in the TV section.

From hurricanes to wars, Ward has been there giving us the details for decades. Others like me only know life with Dave Ward on TV! Seriously, he's probably been more consistently in the lives of Houstonians than family members.

Just on this blog alone, I've watched Ward hit the 40 year milestone, 45 year milestone to last year just announcing, "They’ll probably carry me out of [KTRK abc13] feet first."

All good things must come to an end though (unless Ward can become virtual like Max Headroom).

So that leads us to who will take over Ward's main anchor chair at Houston's top rated station KTRK?

Will it be?
A) Tom Koch
B) Art Rascon
C) Tom Abrahams
D) Erik Barajas
E) Another internal candidate
F) Someone from the outside

If I were a betting man, I'd pick D. Why? You never bet against the Barajas TV Dynasty. It is their destiny!

If this prognostication becomes true, I will link back to this post over and over again forcing you to call me by the snazzy name "The Newstradamus of H-Town." If it doesn't happen, you'll never see a link to this post again.  This is preparing me for a life as a political pundit one day.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 10, 2014
Dave Ward to step down from KTRK ABC13's 10pm news
Dave Ward to start 2015 with reduced workload

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Dave Ward honored with street name next to abc13 Houston studios

Dave Ward is so beloved by the city of Houston for his 50 years of broadcasting service to the community, that he now has his own honorary named street next to the KTRK studios.

- The Dave Ward memoir

"I want to thank you all, I can't tell you what this means to me," Ward remarked to the crowd of family and friends gathered for the street sign unveiling. "I got my name on a building now, I got my name on a street. I guess a few people in Houston have heard of me."

As of Tuesday August, 8, 2023, the intersection of 3400 Bissonnet Street and 5200 Westchester has a blue marker on top of the red Upper Kirby district street sign that displays "Honorary Dave Ward Place." 

The abc13 studios are right there at 3310 Bissonnet. Ward's wife, Laura, helped orchestrate the big honor.

Channel 13 employees of past and present were in attendance to show their love for Houston's anchorman. 

"I sat next to Dave Ward for basically, 27 years, and he is more than just a colleague, he was family, he's my friend," former Ward co-anchor Shara Fryer told mikemcguff.com. "And the respect we had for each other, and the respect he showed me as a young person at the time when i came to work here, and now I'm seeing this culmination. There is a Crime Stoppers building named for him. And now a street corner named for him."

"Dave was part of the building and I guess now he's part of the street," joked retired abc13 traffic anchor and "Good Morning Houston" host Don Nelson to mikemcguff.com.

"Long overdue," former KTRK news director Dave Strickland told mikemcguff.com.  "Dave Ward is a legend and it's good to see his work as the 'Voice of Houston' immortalized next to the station where he dedicated his career."

"Well deserved, Dave is an icon in the community and a well respected journalist who always dealt with facts straight and forward," former KTRK assistant news director/reporter Don Kobos told mikemcguff.com.  "He is highly respected for what he did and what he brought to channel 13."

Right before the big unveiling, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Police Chief Troy Finner and KTRK General Manager Wendy Granato honored Ward. 

"For a long time, we've wanted to do something special to honor Dave's contribution to the community," Mayor Turner told the guests.  "And we thought an honorary street sign near Channel 13 made the most sense because he spent so much of his personal and professional life right here." 

Ward signed-off abc13 as evening anchor in May 2017.

- Dave Ward's honor saved by waitress and other radio stories
- Dave Ward announces new book 'Good Evening, Friends'
- Dave Ward's father did not want him working at KTRK and other stories
- How Dave Ward found love in charity
- Dave Ward traveled with the Houston Oilers for $15
- Dave Ward can captivate a room and a parade

Dave Ward and his emotional goodbye from KTRK abc13

This is the end of a Houston TV era...


It is only fitting that after receiving the key to the city from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett declaring May 3rd his day, that KTRK abc13 50 year anchor and Guinness World Records holder Dave Ward was apparently having enough of the adulation.

"I told Laura (Ward) I'm getting sick and tired of hearing crap about Dave Ward to tell you the truth," the legendary anchor told the throng of TV cameras and gathered crowd of loyal viewers in front of Houston City Hall (even competing TV stations showed up to cover Ward's honor).

Before his public words, Ward spent more than an hour signing autographs for a long line of fans. I'm sure it's not that the TV newsman wasn't thrilled after the last 48 hours of people celebrating his esteemed journalism career, but if you know Ward, it makes sense. While a larger than life presence in your television, in real life, he is a quiet and modest guy.

And the accolades were not over for Ward. After the public event was over, all of the KTRK staff and dignitaries, were ushered into the Houston City Hall Legacy room for a luncheon and video preview of a Dave Ward documentary to air on channel 13 this Sunday night (UPDATE: “Good Evening Friends, I’m Dave Ward” airs Sunday night at 10:35pm).

The day before had been an emotional whirlwind for Ward from what I am told. It all started with his big sendoff from KTRK. He addressed the newsroom staff in the afternoon for the last time in a very frank and honest way from what I hear. Then it was time to prepare for his official goodbye from the Disney ABC Television Group stations's 6pm newscast. The ratings were very good from what I'm told.

With the many of the staff in the studio, Ward said goodbye to his loyal newscast audience for the last time. Viewers like myself were not even alive when he started with the station in 1966. Ward has been like a member of the family telling us about the good, bad and the ugly. From the highs of Houston Rockets championships to the lows of wars and terrorist attacks, Houston tuned in to watch what Uncle Dave had to report. In the good times, we could celebrate with him, in the bad times, maybe in some way he could calm us down and reassure us things would get better.

And with Dave Ward, you know you were getting the story straight. In the era of fake news, we can appreciate a time when anchors like Ward just gave us the facts without the tabloid sensationalism other stations dabbled in.

I was recently talking with a professional media writer who said things won't be the same anymore without Ward in the anchor chair. The end of the era has come to a close.

It's often said in Houston media circles that if you had a Mount Rushmore for Houston TV news their would be three faces - Dave Ward, Steve Smith of KHOU 11 and Ron Stone of KPRC 2. Ward even brought up Stone in his television goodbye remarks saying he was one of the greatest in Houston TV history (READ MORE: Dave Ward's relationship with Ron Stone and Steve Smith, plus how Dave was all about Luv Ya Blue and the Oilers).

After the news, the big names of KTRK headed over to Willie G's on Post Oak Blvd in Uptown to a private party thrown by CNBC Billion Dollar Buyer star and CEO of Landry's Inc., Tilman Fertitta.

KTRK past greats like Shara Fryer, Jan Carson, Tim Melton were also in attendance. I also saw Houston sports legends like Astros Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell and Oilers Hall of Fame defensive end Elvin Bethea.

Now us Dave Ward fans will have to stay tuned to see what's next for the anchor. Since he has the Crime Stoppers of Houston headquarters named after him, I'm sure that organization will be in his future.

"I just can't tell you how much I appreciate your friendship, your loyalty over all these years," Ward told the crowd at city hall in his baritone voice. "This is the city I love and I love you all."

FULL COVERAGE: Hear Dave Ward's stories about his past

davewardshouston.com/

* added/corrected quotes and video after original publishing

Dave Ward traveled with the Houston Oilers for $15

Dave Ward's relationship with Ron Stone and Steve Smith, plus how Dave was all about Luv Ya Blue and the Oilers

Today is Dave Ward's big anniversary. He has now officially been the anchor of KTRK abc13 for 50 years. See the Guinness World Record photo below.

I've heard some argue, if you were going to have a Mount Rushmore of Houston TV anchors Dave Ward would be a face, and so would Ron Stone and Steve Smith. Ward talks about those fellow anchors and his time travelling with the Houston Oilers, a job he says he would have gladly paid to do (and based on the salary, that was almost true).

Mike McGuff: All right, obviously, Dave Ward, still on the air, but I think people will associate, two competitors with you, Ron Stone and Steve Smith, from Channel 2 [KPRC] and Channel 11 [KHOU], respectively. What was your relationship with, like with them?

Dave Ward: Very good. Both of them left. Ron Stone was on Channel 11 when I was at KNUZ. And Steve Smith was on Channel 2. They both left. Ron Stone went to New York and Steve went to Pittsburgh.

They were both gone about a year, and then they both came back. Only Ron Stone came back to Channel 2. Steve Smith came back to Channel 11, and I think I remember making some, some wisecrack on the air about, "Well, welcome back guys. It's just hard to tell where you are now," or something like, you now.

And Stone told me he went to work for NBC Radio News in New York. And he said, "David, I got there. I went down to Rockefeller Center, my first day I did my first radio newscast on the air, and signed off, 'Ron Stone, NBC Radio News,'" and he said, "I was ready to come home then." But it took him about a year to get back.

Ron and I worked together on the Houston Oiler radio crew for about eight years, from about '72 to about '80. Ron Stone and Ron Franklin were with us and we had some great times. We went to home and away [games], we flew with the team on the Oiler charter. And I got to know all of those guys real well.

I'll remember one game in Cleveland, Ohio, late in the season. It had to be in December, freezing cold. The visiting radio booth was on the roof of the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium, right out on the edge of that roof. So we had to sit on bar stools and look almost straight down at these guys running around, you know, 200, 300 feet below us there.

Well, that wind coming off of Lake Erie, it was brutally cold up there. Ron Stone had to read a disclaimer before every game, "The announcers for today's game are hired by and paid by the Houston Oilers." And that day he said, "The announcers for today's game are hire by and paid by the Houston Oilers, but not nearly enough to be up here in this freezer."

I mean, you set your coffee down, and if you didn't move it for five minutes or so, it's frozen.

Mike: [laughs]

Dave: It was about zero degrees that day.

Uh, we had all kinds of experiences and going to, on those Oiler trips. I remember defensive tackle Elvin Bethea, Hall-of-Famer. He always sat on the very back row of the plane. He did not like flying, and he had heard, someone had told him, "Well, the very back of the plane, that's the safest place," so he always sat at the very back.

They put us, the radio crew and sports writers and stuff, on the back left side of the plane. The players were on the right side of the plane. And Elvin, he'd come walking down that aisle carrying his stuff, and he'd look and he'd see us back, and he'd say, "Well, I see the riff-raff are with us again." We were the riff-raff to Elvin. I got to know Elvin Bethea real well. He's a real friend.

I started doing the statistics. I didn't say anything on the radio. I just kept a full set of statistics for the play-by-play, Ron Franklin, and the color, Ron Stone. And I started doing that, I was in Denver at a game. Ron Franklin did the play-by-play, and Dan Lovett did the color back then, when Dan was still with us there at Channel 13.

And I just kept a rudimentary. I sat up in the broadcast booth with 'em and kept some basic statistics for 'em. Well, [the Houston Oilers general manager] was sitting in the booth for the last quarter of the game. And when we signed off, both Franklin and Lovett turned to him and said, "You oughta put Dave on the crew to keep stats for us. That really helped. He kept a pretty good set of stats, and it added to the broadcast."

And, [the GM replied], "Yeah, OK. Dave, would you like to do that?" And I said, "Sure." They paid me 15 bucks a game, $15 a game, but I went to every Oiler game that they played, home and away. I would have paid Bud Adams 15 bucks to get to do that.

Mike: So you were just a big fan of the, of the NFL and, and the Oilers?

Dave: Sure, oh, yeah. That was back in the "Luv Ya Blue" era. I saw every game, uh, Bum Phillips coached, every game Earl Campbell played, every game Dan Pastorini played.

Mike: So here you were, Dave Ward, Eyewitness News, but you weren't even on the radio with 'em at this point, you were just there behind the scenes...

Dave: No, I was just keeping stats. But, they made a, a little bit out of it. You know, you've got Dave Ward, the anchorman from Channel 13, Ron Stone, the anchorman from Channel 2, and Ron Franklin, the sports anchor from Channel 11. We had all three channels in the same broadcast booth, and they, they didn't make a big deal out of it, but it was unique.

Mike: I guess Bob Allen was on those flights with you, covering for the...

Dave: A few of 'em. Sometimes, yeah. After Lovett left and went to New York, then Ron Stone became the color guy, and that's when we had all three, stations represented. But, yeah. Bob or a reporter, sports guy, would make a lot of those away trips, yeah.

Mike: How have you taken Bob Allen's passing away?

Dave: He was with me on the air for 38 and a half years there at Channel 13. And, he had that horrible cancer. Battled that cancer for about two years before it finally killed him, bless his heart. He was a good guy. He was good on the air.

Mike: Were you friends off, off the air?

Dave: Oh, yeah. Yeah, very much so. Yeah. Oh, yeah.

Dave Ward will leave abc13 KTRK December 9th, 2016.

To follow Dave Ward after he leaves KTRK abc13, like Dave Ward's Houston.

RELATED
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- How Dave Ward found love in charity
- Dave Ward's father did not want him working at KTRK and other stories
- Dave Ward's honor saved by waitress and other radio stories
FULL COVERAGE: Dave Ward 50 Years KTRK abc13