Larry James out at KGBT

HARLINGEN - Larry James, whose familiar face and voice became a fixture beside the Channel 4 weather map, has left the Rio Grande Valley airwaves.

The veteran broadcaster is gone from KGBT-TV after more than 43 years with the station.

"I decided to retire," James said Tuesday. "Effective today."

James would not disclose any further details, and directed questions to Channel 4 executives.

Teresa Burgess, the station's vice president and general manager, refused to comment on the matter.

"In fairness to the people who work here and people who don't work here, I think it's only fair that I not comment," Burgess said.

James' reports were notable for his smooth, effortless and calm delivery, no matter what the weather.

Born in Lafayette, La., James began his broadcasting career while a junior in high school.

He started at KGBT in November 1964.

In recalling his television debut, James told an interviewer in 1999, "I was scared to death. Here I was just a kid, standing in front of a cardboard map, trying to draw the path of a hurricane while the cameras are rolling.

"We were live and the adrenaline rush was unbelievable. I had to get vital information out and, to tell you the truth, I do not know if I ever did.
"Nevertheless, that's how I got started in this business. I'll never regret that day."

James sometimes loaned his name and expertise to print, appearing at various times on the Valley Morning Star's and The Monitor's weather pages.

Besides his decades as a weatherman, James is also well-known for his community service.

Among other things, James hosted the local Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon for years.

In a 1999 interview, KGBT's then-news director Mitch Jacob announced that James would become the station's spokesman.

"He's going to become an ambassador for our station," Jacob said at the time. "We felt this was just another way to take advantage of Larry's vast knowledge of the Valley and its residents."

James and Nanette, his wife of 50 years, live in Harlingen.

Burgess has been the station's general manager since November 2006.

Founded in 1953, the station was acquired in August 2006 by Barrington Broadcasting Group LLC. According to its Web site, Barrington currently owns 21 television stations.