Services Set For Chuck Stevens
• UPDATED — Late Sunday night we received the sad news of the passing of Tulsa radio favorite Chuck Stevens, morning personality on Stephens Media ’80s outlet KTSO (100.9 Totally Awesome 80s), who died early Sunday morning at the age of 52. Stevens, whose real name was Charles Wynashe, had been at KTSO for almost two years. He was also the voice of Sinclair’s local ABC affiliate, KTUL-TV. Other stops on his Tulsa radio resume include KVOO, KAY-107 (now K-HITS), KWEN (K95.5) and Magic 99.
KTSO will spend the better part of Monday paying tribute to Stevens. Bob Thornton, OM of Stephens Media Group Tulsa announced the station will hold a drop-in open house starting at 8am Monday for any local radio personalities who wish to stop by the station in the CityPlex Towers (2448 E. 81st, Suite 5500), and share a favorite Chuck Stevens memory. If you can’t make in person, please call 918-928-1986 or email your audio tribute to bob.thornton@smgok.com.
Steve Hunter, Director of Radio Operations for Griffin Communications Tulsa, commented, “Chuck worked with me for over 18 years at KRAV (Mix 96). Chuck was not only great on-air, he loved people and was a true friend to all. He was also a great singer who performed with his band, ‘Merle Jam.’ He will be missed.”
Another of Chuck’s longtime friends, Rodney Lay Jr., Creative Director at Cox Media Group Tulsa posted this touching tribute video on his Facebook page. Many of Stevens’ friends, colleagues and fans have been paying their respects on Chuck’s Facebook page.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Aug. 2 at 2pm at the First Baptist Church in Skiatook, OK. There will be a visitation on Wednesday from 5-7pm at Sien-Shelton Funeral Home in Skiatook.
I think I speak for all of us who've had Chuck Stevens (a/k/a Charlie Wynashe) in our lives for a number of years that we're still trying to make sense of this. I am in stunned disbelief at the loss of my fellow "hired by Billy Parker" radio brother. I put together this little video of Chuck & Merle Jam performing the Gary Stewart tune, "Empty Glass". Chuck sang the fire out of this song and it was my favorite tune to hear him lend his amazing voice to. I thought all that knew him might take a little comfort seeing how much Chuck enjoyed his life, family and friends. Rest in peace, dear friend, hold the door for me when you see me coming and give my Aunt Kim Lay a great big hug. You both were too young to leave this world today.
Posted by Rodney Lay Jr. on Sunday, July 29, 2018
