So much has already been said about our radio friend Luther Masingill, who died October 20, 2014 at the age of 92. But I’ve been holding something back. I’ve been going about my business, writing and reporting on Luther’s life and career. I’ve done stories for my own newscasts, and have been interviewed by various reporters, locally and nationally. I was privileged to speak at the Celebration of Luther’s Life at Engel Stadium. So yes, I’ve said plenty of words about my “old pal.” But, I never got to tell him goodbye.
Dear Luther:
It’s just now beginning to sink in. I checked my calendar for next week. For Monday, I had written a note a few weeks ago: “Call Luther,” to see if you would go with me Friday to speak to the Brainerd Kiwanis Club. It won’t be the same.
We sure had fun together! I’ve made about 130 speeches during the past couple of years about Chattanooga radio and TV, and I sang your praises every time. Often, you were with me, and people were so happy when I brought a special guest: The Longest Running Broadcaster in the History of the World! You got a standing ovation every time.
I’m glad we shared some long car rides. I learned so much about you without any crowds around. Once, I knew you weren’t feeling well, so we talked about life and death. You asked about my parents, who you met decades ago. I told you about my Dad’s “Celebration of Life,” and how we honored his memory with humor and upbeat stories. You told me, “Yeah, that’s what I’d like too…”
I remembered that, when I got the sad phone call about you early that day. I’d heard you were ailing. I had visited you in the hospital in years past, and you always bounced back. Why should this time be any different?
Then came the day I knew would come. Or maybe I really didn’t. You’ll laugh when I tell you this, but here you are, a 92-year-old man who has been seriously ill a few times in the past couple of years, and I was totally unprepared when I heard the news. All my “Luther memorabilia” was scattered everywhere, and all those taped interviews we did were all over the place. You spoiled me, old pal!
Let me tell you about the first lesson you taught me: you didn’t even know you did it. One morning early in my radio career, I was having a bad day. Some of the equipment wasn’t working properly, and I was in a bad mood. Evidently, it was affecting my on-air performance. My boss at the time (your former boss Jerry Lingerfelt) came in and asked me what was wrong. I started complaining about the equipment, figuring he would understand why I was grouchy. He said, “Have you ever heard Luther sound angry?” I answered honestly, “No he always sounds the same to me.” “Right,” Jerry said. “He always sounds cheerful. Do you think his equipment works perfectly every day?” “Uh, no,” I said sheepishly. “Right,” Jerry said. “Think about that for a while.” I never forgot that. Lesson learned.
I’m sure you heard my tribute to you at Engel Stadium. It was at least ten minutes too long, but there was so much to say. One of my co-workers told me the next day, “I never got to meet Luther, but after listening to you, I feel like I knew him.” That made me feel good, because that was my goal.
I know, I’m getting long-winded again. I just wanted you to know I’m thinking of you. I saw your name on my phone contact list, and I will never delete it. Why should I? Just seeing “Luther” on my phone makes me smile. Even though you’ve moved outside my coverage area, I can still hear your voice. I noticed that I had not erased a 2012 voice mail message from you. I played it back just to see why I had saved it.
You finished the message by saying, “Thanks David. I love you. You’re a good guy.”
I wonder if I’ve ever left a message for anyone that was so meaningful, it was never erased. I don’t think I have. I’m still learning from you, old pal. Now go have some laughs with your friends, hug all those dogs you found, and play some Sinatra records.
Love, David
Thanks for reading: here are two additional videos for you. First, a 3-minute highlight reel of an interview I did with Luther on the eve of his 70th anniversary at WDEF, on December 17, 2010. He talks about his Royal typewriter, his relationship with his listeners, how many dogs he had found, and even sings a little. It’s Luther at his best. Watch:
And my friend Ben Cagle has produced a beautiful video, set to the music of a Luther favorite: “If I Can Help Somebody.” This includes scenes from Luther’s funeral procession on Friday, October 24. Thank you Ben.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1yfI5WvByo
Nice tribute,David. My earliest memory of Luther is this. I was 9 years old when The Beatles hit it big in America and I can recall people saying that Ringo resembled Luther. I suppose it might have been on a local news show or maybe The Chattanooga Free Press. I hadn’t thought about that in years and it came back to me when I heard of his passing.
Excellent. I loved this David. I know how deeply you miss him and I felt the long emotional pauses you must have taken between words and sentences. You were blessed to know that special man on a father-son level. It is this affection for the very rare knowledge of a simple, yet extraordinary human being that makes life so rich.
That was priceless David. Great job.
Yes, Luther was a great man!
Have talked with him on Radio while I was giving some events’ details to him.
Also, have met him walking with his wife on River Park near Chickamauga Dam. He asked me several times where I am from. I told him I was from India. He asked me if I was happy to come USA and I said I did.
I remember he was a friend of the fellow who used to promote face wresting. I do not remember his name. He was a character.
Luther used to laugh on those young country singer girls- shania , etc. I am not a country singing fan so I cannot remember the names but he used to laugh at those girls when played the songs.
My home is near Athens,Georgia.I have two dear aunts who live in East Ridge.I visit them frequently and saw Luther on the news,etc. for years!
When I saw on Facebook,that LUTHER had gone to his reward,I called the elder aunt who is 92.She,of course,knew that he had passed on…her comment was,”He was the sunshine of our lives!!”
Thank you for such a touching tribute!!!
Sincerely,
Carole
What a wonderful tribute to your special friend, David. You must have been a very important and special friend to him, as well. I am sure if you had gone before him, he would have been as heartbroken as you are. That is the way it is when we have to say goodbye to our “special friends”. Blessings!
David, this is the sweetest thing I have ever read.Chattanooga has lost a treasure, for sure! Thank you for letting us know Mr. Luther through this sharing of your heart….
Super sweet. I think even though we all know Luther is up there having a grand old time with his buddies and animals, we’re all still going to miss him each and every day. I hope that in some way, WDEF and Sunny 92.3 will still throw in some small tidbit of Luther each and every day. Thank you for sharing your beautiful and loving tribute. And, to Luther…Thanks ole pal, we sure do love you!
Beautiful tribute, David. Indeed, Luther was a true Chattanooga treasure and I know that he is looking down and smiling on our beautiful city this Sunday morning.
He’ll be sorely missed here. We love Luther! 🙂
Yes, Luther was a treasure and Chattanooga’s very favorite. Always kind and gracious to all. A friend. A superb human being. A pro’s pro. And unflappable. Always fit and dapper to the end. Joie de vivre personified.
Excellent article,David. Luther was loved by Chattanooga. Thank you for sharing.
Great tribute nephew! You have some big shoes to fill, but someday someone will be remembering you as well. Each day of life we are all planting seeds for the harvest. Keep on keeping on. I love you, Uncle Dale.
David,
I never got to meet Luther but I feel like I knew him. I heard him on the radio or TV every single morning. I grew up and still live in this area. I have met you and some of the others at Channel 3 News and I always wanted to meet Luther but the chance never came. I have to say you remind me in some ways of Luther and now I know why. Very nice article, thanks for sharing. I will miss Luther as will a lot of others who heard him everyday!
Thank you,
Carolyn Price
Well done, my friend. Well done.
You did good ! I’m so glad that you will meet up with him again. Gives you something precious to look forward to. I wonder if you know that some people, like I, look up to you like that…admire and respect you, trust and love you. You are now the “Voice of Chattanooga.” Luv, Sheree
I lived in Chattanooga for over 40 years, and even went to Church were Luther was a member. He would come in and say hi to everyone. Luther would go in the kitchen and start helping the ladies in there. I’ll always remember his SMILE!!! He truly made me smile!!!!! You took care of a lot of people in your life, now sit back and let God take care of you for an eternity….You will be missed for a long, long time….
I remember Luther as a little girl he and my uncle James messer were friends .he And my uncle were in the Antique Automobile Club Of Ameriac in 1959 .I would go with my uncle James Luther had a nic name for him was Mr. Cricket. Luther always said hi to me no matter how important the festivities were. I will never forget him .he was a sweet man
David what a great story teller you have become. Luther makes for a great character to build around but my friend you too are an important part of this areas broadcasting history. Your experiences with Luther have only made you more of a treasure of knowledge and tales. For me this is a good way to end the tale that is Luther, like the outtakes from a great movie as your leaving the theater, just one more reason you hope for a sequel. In Luther’s case, no one can follow that act. Thanks for this piece.
You did a wonderful tribute at his Memorial service. I heard it on 92.3. Never got to meet Luther in person, but heard him every morning. I remember one time a lady called in and they had lost their cow. Luther asked ” Was it a boy cow or a girl cow”. Lots of laughs will be missed!!
David, I felt like I was eavesdropping on you and your friend. Thank you for your excellent coverage of Luther’s passing, and your insightful looks into Luther, the man.
David, I am so very sorry for your loss.
Ed
You made me cry again! LUTHER, loved and cherished in all of Chattanooga and surrounding areas! I just Thank God for the privilege of living in his lifetime and hearing him on the radio for 51 out of 70 years. I never met him, but felt like he was kin. His voice calmed many of my days and I knew he was of the noblest character, full of compassion. He reminded me of our close friend, Jesus, how he loved everybody no matter what . . .I’ll never forget LUTHER . . .
Very heartfelt words, David! Luther made us all better people, without ever realizing it! I know you, and James Howard have lost a wonderful father figure, a colleague, and a true, true friend. Those cold, snowy school morning, won’t sound the same without Luther, but we’ll make it because that is what he would want everyone to do! Thank you for sharing your heart with us and many prayers are going up for Luther’s family, his radio and TV family, and the hundreds of thousands of people that Luther touched with his voice, his caring, and his humor. We will all miss him!! Thanks again, David! You did good!!!!!! It’s just about time for the singing dogs and Jingle Bells!!! They will be barking it for Luther this Christmas!
David, I’ve shed some tears over Luther’s passing, but not as many as I have tonight, while reading your blog. Thank you for your warm words about a very special man.
And those words came from another special man…
You’re the best.
David, you have honored Luther in a multitude of ways over the years and that has been inspiring to witness. I cannot imagine the privilege it has been to have known him on the level that you have but thank you for helping us to know him a little better with each insight. You are a good man. Luther was simply one of a kind and I understand completely when you wrote that you were totally unprepared for his passing even though he was 92. I believe most of the City felt the same way. The picture you have posted with this story – the one of him leaving out the door is so poignant.
I grew up in Graysville(GA). I remember listening to Luther while I was
getting ready to go to school at Graysville Elementary(50’s,60’s)
Thanks for the memories.
David, those of us that could not attend the memorial at Engel Stadium are praying you will have a DVD re-produced of the entire memorial.
There are many especially elderly people that would love to have one to play over and over that loved Luther so much.
The monies could go into a scholarship fund or an area of his church that he loved so.
Please help us contribute to his memory.
Than you,
Merrie Youngblood
Great story David. I know Luther is smiling at another fine tribute.
Reading the above tribute to Luther brought tears to my eye.
I’ve heard his since the mid 40’s, so I hope that I’m long gone before the time comes for someone to do the same for David Carol.
We love you too, David. Our favorite city has lost a true treasure!
David, Thanks for sharing and thanks for the great job you did at Engel Stadium. Luther will always be in our hearts.
Bill
Bless you for your lovely tributes to Luther. A lot of us shared in the joy of Luther’s voice on the radio and his appearances on T.V. but never had the privilege of meeting him in person. Your lovely words help me feel as if I knew him personally.
David you said it all so well. I grew up listening to Luther. He will be missed.
Your latest of his funeral is great. We will certainly miss Luther. Thank you Davide for all you have done in honor of Luther. Bless you.
What a lovely letter and tribute. I was on my way to school this morning (work at East Ridge Elem.–you’ve been there) and I heard Kim say, “The morning show with James, Kim,” there was the slightest pause and then she went on. But it was evident to me that the bright star that was Luther was subconsciously missed. One of a kind. I’ll miss Luther-oke, community calendar and the wonderful voice of a friend. Thanks, David!