Ron McCary has died. Photo: KMJ
Fresno, CA (KMJ) – Ron McCary, a beloved longtime radio personality on the KMJ Radio airwaves in Fresno, has died at the age of 80.
For nearly two decades, KMJ listeners would hear McCary’s familiar voice on 580AM/105.9FM whether it was delivering the news, reporting traffic or filling in as anchor for Farm News Director Don York on KMJ’s AG Report.
On Saturday mornings, Ron anchored news updates, and added to the banter of The Auto Shop Talk show.
McCary’s background as an English teacher gave him a solid foundation as a reporter. KMJ staff could turn to him for his historical knowledge, a valuable asset and vital to a newsroom. His command of the English language was equally impressive and he often corrected bemused coworkers and hosts for any grammatical infractions.
Ron began his broadcasting career in 1969 at KFIG (with Ray Appleton as Program Director). He moved into news radio at KMPH in 1997 and joined KMJ in 2007.
Ronald Edward McCary was a true native Fresnan. He was born on December 5, 1945. McCary was a graduate of McLane High School and later Fresno State University. He was a U.S. Army veteran who later went on to teach at Fowler High School. He was a substitute teacher and retired in 2018.
As news of his death was shared, some of his former students expressed their sadness and condolences on social media.
Ron’s colleagues will remember him as having a kind and generous personality. Beloved on the 3rd floor of Radio City, his coworkers took to X and Facebook to post their memories and condolences.
Longtime popular KMJ host Ray Appleton, who worked many years with Ron, shared the sad news on Facebook:
KMJ’s Program Director Blake Taylor shared the sad news of Ron’s death with Radio City staff in an email on Saturday, expressing the impact that McCary made at the legacy station.
Ron was a legit talent, super smart man and key contributor to the success of KMJ over the years. I didn’t realize Ray Appleton and Ron had been colleagues since 1969 – wow. The stories! We will all remember Ron fondly. -Blake Taylor, Program Director, KMJ 580AM / 105.9FM
Ron was frequently a fill-in at Radio City, delivering traffic reports on KMJ’s multi-award winning Fresno’s Morning News program, with Golden Mic winners; host Christopher Gabriel, anchor, Randy James and personality Greg Lane
On Saturday, Christopher Gabriel expressed his sadness over McCary’s passing, sharing and commenting on a post on X by news anchor Liz Kern:
Please keep Ron and his family in your prayers. He was a very loyal and lovely person; one we could count on 100%. We will share more information about his services as details come to us. – Patty Hixson, Regional Vice President, Cumulus Radio Station Group
From the entire KMJ and Cumulus Media family, Ronald Edward McCary will be missed.
