Remembering J.J. Hemingway

• We were saddened to learn of the untimely passing of longtime Spokane, WA radio veteran J.J. Hemingway, afternoon drive personality on Contemporary Christian KEEH (Shine 104.9)/Spokane, WA, who died on Monday morning, June 17 at Providence Holy Family Hospital in Spokane after a brief illness. He would have turned 66 years old on July 30. “A good and faithful friend has gone to his rest,” said a posting on the Shine 104.9 website.

According to his bio, J.J. “followed in his father’s footsteps and made radio his career, starting at age 16 in his hometown of Seattle.” Hemingway’s career resumes includes stops at KACL/Bismarck, ND, KJR-FM/Seattle, KIKX/Colorado Springs, KLTY/Dallas and WKZL/Greensboro, to name a few highlights. Hemingway had been a fixture in Spokane radio since 1998, most notably during a 14-year stint at Clear Channel AC KISC (98.1 Kiss FM) until early 2012.

A lengthy remembrance on the Shine 104.9 Facebook page reads, in part, “J.J. was an irreplaceable talent. His mix of humor and spiritual encouragement, along with being a 20-year local celebrity on various radio stations and an overall friend to our community, and many prior years around the country, will cause a deep feeling of loss in the days ahead, to all of us who loved and admired him.”

In a trademark sign-off that reflected his positive spirit and deep faith, J.J. would end each day’s show with this reminder, “Remember, no matter what the weather’s like you can always, and I do mean always, let the Son shine in your life.”

A Celebration of Life service for J.J. is being organized — details will be posted online as soon as they become available.