Remembering Jamie McKibbin
• We were saddened to learn that longtime Jackson, MI radio personality-turned-station owner Jamie McKibbin died in a tragic boating accident on Monday, along with his close friend, James “Bud” Miller. McKibbin, the owner of Jackson Radio Works and Miller were on a hunting trip at Clendening Lake in Ohio and were reported missing late Sunday night. Their bodies were found near the Clendening Lake Marina around 2pm Monday. According to WILX-TV/Lansing, MI, authorities believe weather may have been a factor in the accident.
McKibbin, who served on board of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, got his start as an on-air talent and was known as “The Big Dog” during his days on the air on Jackson Radio Works’ Top 40 WKHM (K105.3)/Jackson. Over the course of 23 years, McKibbin was close with owners Bruce and Sue Goldsen, who sold K105.3, News-Talk WKHM-AM 970/101.5 FM and Country WIBM-AM 1450 (95.9 The Power Cow)/Jackson to McKibbin and his wife Katina in 2019. Earlier this year the newly formed McKibbin Media Group, Inc. also purchased Country WCSR-AM (99.5 The Dale) and Full Service WCSR-FM in McKibbin’s hometown of Hillsdale, MI.
Bruce Goldsen said, “This is such a loss for both Jackson and Hillsdale and it’s going to be a tough one to recover, but you know people will get through it and they will.” Sue Goldsen said of McKibbin, “His lifelong dream was to be an owner in the media business. We were ready to retire and we found someone within our family who was willing to carry on the commitment to [the] community. I think the legacy that he will leave is that the people who knew him and loved him and love the community and radio are going to make sure that his legacy and his dream go forward.”
In addition to his wife, Katina, McKibbin is survived by his 14-year old son, Walker. There is a lengthy tribute to McKibbin posted on the Power Cow Facebook page.
