MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A West Virginia Hall of Fame broadcaster will hang up her headphones after more than three decades on the air.
Kay Murray, long time co-host of “Morgantown AM” with Jim Stallings, is retiring.
On March 30, the Monongalia County native celebrated 37 years at WAJR-AM, a West Virginia Radio Corporation talk radio affiliate.
Dale Miller, president of West Virginia Radio Corporation, said Murray wraps up a career that helped build WAJR into the iconic radio station it is today.
“The memories I’m taking with me, it’s made me who I am,” Murray told listeners during her final week on the show. “I’ve worked here longer than I’ve worked anywhere in my life. I think that has brought me happiness to know that you’re making these memories.”
Described as the matriarch of talk radio in the state, she was among the 2013 class of inductees into the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
She has interviewed national, state and local leaders, many of whom said her charm, charisma and community-first approach came through in every segment.
“She had that gift. She was smooth. She was just a delight to talk to,” said former WVU head football coach Don Nehlen. “She made it easy to talk to. You never had a problem when Kay interviewed you. I don’t know why. I think that was her gift.”
Murray’s shows have been a source of information on everything from blood drives to city and county elections.
“The first thing that occurs to me is Morgantown will not be the same without Kay Murray on the air. I mean, all these many years, she so very well served this community,” said Dan Boroff, former Morgantown city manager.
Women in the community have followed Murray’s career, learning life lessons over the air waves.
“She’s definitely been my idol for a long, long time, a very strong professional woman” said Terri Cutright, former Main Street Morgantown executive director. “I know as women, we all look around for those professionals ahead of us women. And, Kay has been that.”
Murray never shied from sharing parts of her personal life, including her 52-year marriage to Art Murray and lessons learned from their children, Tonya and Gregg.
Brenda Jasper was 19 upon being hired by Murray at the radio station.
Her well wishes for Murray sum up some of the broadcaster’s favorite things: “Read a book. Drink some wine. Go to the beach. Spend lots of time with your family. Best, wishes my friend, for a fun-filled retirement.”