The National Association of Farm Broadcasting has lost two industry veterans who were long time members of the organizations – Gene Ragan of WTVY in Dothan, Alabama and Mike Carter of KMZU in Carrolton, Missouri.
Farmers lost a devoted friend September 21, 2012, when Gene Ragan, at age 88, left this world. He was called “Mr. Agriculture” by the many, many people who knew him. Funeral services were held Sunday, September 23, 2012, at First Baptist Church with Dr. Johnny Fain and Rev. Bob Gross officiating, with interment in the Blakely City Cemetery under the direction of Byrd Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Landmark Park Agricultural Museum.
Gene was born March 22, 1924, in Early County, Georgia, on a farm to a poor but loving, wonderful family. At age seven, he moved to Albany, GA, where he grew up. Gene began exhibiting his champion cattle when he was only eleven years old. That turned him into a cattleman. Ragan launched a television program in 1958 and continued broadcasting through 1998. He was inducted into the NAFB Hall of Fame in 2006.
You may recall that Gene’s son Russ was also a farm broadcaster who worked for WTVY and Southeast AgNet. Russ was killed in a plane crash in 2007.
Michael L. Carter, 73, of Carrollton, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 23, 2012, at his home. The family will be receiving friends at Gibson Funeral Home, 201 South Main, Carrollton, Missouri, on Sunday, September 30, from 3 to 4 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, September 30, at 4 p.m. with Reverend Williams officiating.
Mike was born in Lawrence, Kansas, graduated from Shawnee Mission High School and attended Kansas State University. He was an avid farmer with properties in Shawnee and Everest, Kansas. He enjoyed traveling with his wife of 54 years, Carol. But perhaps his true hobby was radio. He started his career in the 1960s at KIOA in Des Moines, Iowa. He was also employed at KMBZ in Kansas City. Mike and fellow KMBZ employee Bill Bilyeu then decided to form their own radio station in Hiawatha, Kansas. KNZA went on the air in August of 1977. He came to Carrollton in 1981 and purchased KAOL AM & FM in 1983. Four years later the FM was re-branded as KMZU “The Farm.” He bought and owned WHB in Kansas City from 1993 to 1999. Around that same time, KANZA Communications acquired KTRX-FM in Tarkio. In 1996, he formed a new station – KRLI-FM. He spent his retirement years compiling music to pass on to this, and future, generations.
Mike is survived by his wife and five children, including two who have been part of the NAFB family – Miles and Lynn.
NAFB is thankful for the role both these men played in the industry and honor their history in broadcasting. Our sincere condolences to all.
The board of the National Agri-Marketing Association is hard at work prior to the NAMA Fall Conference. We’ve got good attendance and are getting reports from all our chapters as well as conducting the business of the association.
