Retired from WGN TV 9 in Chicago in 1994. Otis moved back to his beloved Mississippi and setup his dream station in his new home. Otis was the classic amateur radio operator. He operated by the book and influence everyone around him.
Fondly known as the Old Timer.
Otis was a real friend to everyone.He was a good family man.He loved his ham radio hobby,and always tryed to operate by fcc rules.I will always miss him. TOMMY KJ9K
I am surprised to see this listing. I am sorry to hear of Otis' passing. I worked with Otis at WGN-TV for many years (mid 80's) as one of the Engineering Mangers. Otis was always good natured and involved in our hobby. I will remember Otis always in his car at lunch working 20 meters. I would stop and lean in and chat for a moment or so to see where he was working. I will remember Otis for that, his plesant smile and laugh.
I knew Otis very well. He was a true family man and a good friend. He loved Ham Radio and operated his station by the rules. When I first met Otis, his call was N9BLE. He worked for WGN-TV, and I worked for the Chicago Transit Authority as a Tow Truck Driver, and sometimes we would end up at the same location. I still operate on 40 and 75 meters with a coaxial dipole that Otis built for me. I still miss Otis, he was a good friend.
I am absoloutely shocked to hear this! He worked with my dad W9BEA at WGN as well. Dad died in 1984. I remember talking to Otis on 2 meters several years ago when he was in transit between chicago and 5-land. Dad traded him a TA33 for a hygain quad that we put up on our first tower years ago and it worked FB. He was quite the antenna and radio collector. He had a heck of a farm when he was in Chicago. Rest in peace Otis.
I want to thank you all to remember otis. He sure was a good friend of mine . We met on the air and when he moved here to clinton, ms, we even got to be closer friends. I remember being mobile on 14.295 and go to his house here in clinton, when it was being built and kept him up with the progress. He sure thought me some stuff about radios. I can go on and on, but I am sure that all of you all know what I am talking about. 73..johnny, W5PFR
Otis and I talked once on 20 meter SSB. It was on one of those days you sometime have when everything just goes wrong. He really cheered me up, and we had a nice, long ragchew. I've never met a friendlier ham.