A DETROIT RADIO GREAT. IN MEMORY. JIMMY LAUNCE

Jimmy Launce 1964 WJR

OBITUARY

James K. Lontz

March 9, 1934 – August 28, 2018

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James K. Lontz, also known as “Jimmy Launce” of Lakewood Ranch, Florida formerly of Farmington Hills, Michigan passed away on Tuesday August 28, 2018 at the age of 84. James was born March 9, 1934 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the late Kenneth and Colma (Lambert) Lontz.

“Jimmy Launce” was the popular host of his daily radio program in Detroit on the 50,000 watt radio Station WJR, owned by ABC Radio. For 38 years his popular radio show was rated #1 in Michigan in his time slot and heard by thousands across America and Canada. His variety program was known for his personal style of comedy, interviews with controversial figures, news-makers of the day which included Hollywood and Broadway stars, popular comedians and musicians, U.S. Presidents and various dignitaries from home and abroad, past and present. On his live broadcasts, he was known for outlandish stunts such as strapping himself into a harness outside the windows of the station’s sky scraper location to describe and experience a window washer’s vocation. Jimmy flew a jet fighter while describing the experience through a microphone in his oxygen mask. He connected with his audience who thought of him as a friend. Listeners named their new-born daughters after his infectious radio theme song, GINA.

His curiosity, wit, knowledge and skill of even-handed questioning earned him great respect from his variety of guests and listeners; providing sustained high ratings fro over 38 years. During his tenure, his variety program featured an orchestra, singers, recordings and interviews, as well as, hosting various remote broadcasts from the U.S. and Europe. Jimmy was enshrined in the Detroit Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

Jim was the host of the Detroit TV broadcasts of the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon. He was a popular after-dinner speaker, stage and film actor, writer and voice from instructional and educational videos, nature films, as well as, national and international radio and television commercials. He was chosen by the Shriver Family to serve as master of ceremonies for the Special Olympics at Central Michigan University and on CBS Television.

Jim was a member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He was a lifetime member of the Screen Actors Guild and served on the Detroit Local Board. Jim was also a member of the Media Roundtable in Sarasota. He served on the Michigan Cancer Foundation Board of Trustees and the Michigan Association of School Boards.

Jimmy was the recipient of the Honorary 33rd Degree of Scottish Rite Masonary and the DeMolay Legion of Honor. He was a lifetime member of Farmington Hills, MI Masonic Lodge and a member of York Rite College, Detroit Commandery No. 1 K.T., as well as Royal Arch Masons of Michigan. Jimmy was also a member of the Detroit and Sarasota Shriners and of the Royal Order of Jesters.

He was a member of Church of the Palms in Sarasota, where he served as a member of the College of Elders and a working member of the T.V. Ministry Crew.

Jimmy was known as a consummate home “Do It Yourselfer” with every imaginable tool and machinery. He was an avid freshwater fisherman in Michigan and spent considerable time fishing in the Arctic Circle.

Jimmy’s wife, Brigitte, was born in Frankfurt Germany. After coming to America, she was an advertising print and runway model for Bill Blass and many other designers. After meeting in New York, she and Jimmy represented General Motors at International Auto Shows in New York, Chicago and Detroit. Together they owned, Jimmy Launce Productions, a theatrical production Corporation that operated three live performance theaters and a touring company. As an actor, Jimmy often took the stage in leading roles in those productions.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Brigitte; loving children, Cheri Natho of Melvindale, MI and John Lontz of Kernersville, NC; sister, Pauline Gowins of Auburn, IN; cherished grandchildren, Jennifer Bacon, Joshua Holman, Angela Lontz, Brooke Paulsson, Taylor Lontz, Jeremy Lontz and 8 great grandchildren. Jim is preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Kenneth Lontz and sister, Doris Zoller.

 

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 11 AM at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, FL 34239.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Church of the Palms or Masonic Charitable Foundations, Alma, MI.

(This obituary is posted online courtesy of dignitymemorial.com/saratoga-fl)


Jimmy Launce 1964

Jimmy Launce 1966

Jimmy Launce 1966

Jimmy Launce 1968

Jimmy and Brigitte Launce 1973

Jimmy Launce 1984

Jimmy Launce 1994

Jimmy Launce 1996



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WJR ’63 NEWS PRINT AD: JIMMY LAUNCE REMEMBERED


Detroit Free Press October 31, 1963

Thursday, October 31, 1963

A DETROIT RADIO BACK-PAGE AD

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DETROIT FREE PRESS: WJR

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WJR ’66 NEWS PRINT AD: JIMMY LAUNCE REMEMBERED


Detroit Free Press September 20, 1966

Tuesday, September 20, 1966

A DETROIT RADIO BACK-PAGE AD

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DETROIT FREE PRESS: WJR

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A WJR 1966 NEWS PRINT: JIMMY LAUNCE REMEMBERED


Detroit Free Press December 4, 1966

Sunday, December 4, 1966

A DETROIT RADIO BACK-PAGE

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DETROIT FREE PRESS: WJR | “Jimmy Launce of Drive Time”

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A WJR 1996 NEWS PRINT: JIMMY LAUNCE REMEMBERED


Detroit Free Press June 29, 1996

Detroit Free Press June 29, 1996

Saturday, June 29, 1996

A DETROIT RADIO BACK-PAGE

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DETROIT FREE PRESS: WJR | “Launce Cut Loose by WJR”

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DETROIT RADIO NEWSPRINT: JIMMY LAUNCE RECALLED


Detroit Free Press April 11, 1998

Detroit Free Press April 11, 1998

Detroit Free Press April 11, 1998

Saturday, April 11, 1998

A DETROIT RADIO BACK-PAGE

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DETROIT FREE PRESS: Jimmy Launce | “A House For All Seasons”

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J. P. McCARTHY: COVETED KING, DETROIT RADIO 1966


Detroit Free Press December 4, 1966

Detroit Free Press December 4, 1966

Detroit Free Press December 4, 1966

Detroit Free Press December 4, 1966

Sunday, December 4, 1966

A DETROIT RADIO BACK-PAGE

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DETROIT FREE PRESS: J. P. McCARTHY

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LEE ALAN MODERATES: A 1967 WJR 760 NEWSPRINT AD


Detroit Free Press December 3, 1967

Sunday, December 3, 1967

A DETROIT RADIO BACK-PAGE AD

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DETROIT FREE PRESS: WJR

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ON THE RADIO: WJR-AM 50 GOLDEN YEARS SHOW, ’72


WJR RECALLED ON MOTOR CITY RADIO FLASHBACKS

WJR-AM 760 * 1972 * MIKE WHORF




MIKE WHORF WJR aircheck date: Thursday, May 4, 1972

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NEW! A special THANK YOU to Bob Pratt, of Farmington Hills, MI, for recently donating this WJR radio aircheck (unscoped!) to Motor City Radio Flashbacks!

 * THE BOB PRATT COLLECTION *




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‘BROADCASTING’ ’68: DETROIT WJR-AM 760 RADIO AD

A ‘BROADCASTING’ WJR-AM 760 AD PAGE RIP: July 29, 1968 (click image 2x for largest view)

WHAT!? NO NEWSPAPERS??

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When WJR released this ad in July, 1968, both major Detroit newspaper dailies were still locked in a prolong strike, seemingly with no end in sight. Friday, November 17, 1967 was the last day of publication at the two unionized papers.

The following day workers at the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News walked out — on strike — at 12 midnight on November 18. After 267 days, 12 days after this WJR ad went to print, the presses rolled once again at the two Detroit dailies on Saturday, August 10, 1968.


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