Remembering Don Brake
• In the space of less than a week, cancer has claimed the life of its second major radio industry programmer — on the heels of the Oct. 21 passing of KXXM/San Antonio PD Russell Rush comes this follow-up gut-punch – veteran Country programmer Don Brake died Tuesday, Oct. 25 after a valiant 13-month battle against an aggressive form of lymphoma.
Brake’s loving wife America shared the news in this heartbreaking Facebook post that reads, “We are sad to share with you that our hero, the most courageous, strong, loving, caring, funny and amazing man left this earth today early in the morning. He fought till the end but it was time to free himself from the physical pain he endured for 13 months. We came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon. The ride home was long but once again he was able to feel the wind on his face and feel the warmth of the sun on his skin. He was home with his girls just like he wanted. He gave it all but it was time to rest.”
Brake was most recently OM of the four-station Cumulus cluster in Savannah, GA and PD of Country WJCL (Kix 96). It was late September 2021 when he first went public with his diagnosis, sharing his story in an extensive Facebook post. Brake’s Facebook page is already overwhelmed with condolences from his many friends and co-workers past and present.
Prior to his Savannah transfer, Brake programmed Country sibling KAYD/Beaumont, TX. A native of Morgantown, WV, Brake earlier worked for West Virginia Radio Corporation in the dual role of MD/midday host on WKKW/Morgantown and afternoon talent on WVMD/Cumberland, MD. His previous programming stops include WFRE/Frederick MD, WHWK/Binghamton, NY and WAYZ/Hagerstown, MD, and he also did mornings on WCAT/Harrisburg, PA.
America’s post continues, “Please, celebrate his life with us. Share with us your story with him. We had him for the last 10 years but before us there was you and him and many stories to remember him by. Let’s celebrate Don Brake and the awesome man he was. Thank you mi amor for gifting me the greatest gift of all, our Naomi. Your girls will miss you and love you forever. Rest In Peace mi amor. Naomi and I will be ok. Te Amo mi amor. Buenas noches papi.”
Please keep America and their daughter Naomi in your thoughts and prayers and please consider contributing to the GoFundMe account that was established last year to help Brake’s family during this unthinkable time.
