Gilbert Myers David, Jr.
(September 12, 1931 - December 10, 2016)
Wilmington, NC, Gil David, a pioneer in Top-40 radio whose storied career spanned six decades, died December 10, 2016 in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was 85.
Gilbert Myers David, Jr. was born in York, September 12, 1931 to Dorothy (Moore) and Gilbert Myers David, both deceased.
He is survived by Elyse, his wife of 38 years; brother, Donnie; children, Cheryl, Gib (Cindy), Laura (Edward), and Danny (Ivonne); grandchildren, Dylan, Zach, Rachael, Eddie, Ellie, Elias, and Demi; nieces, Donna and Pam; his in-laws, Patricia and Arthur, and a large extended family, as well as many who will forever call him friend, mentor, and the source of happy memories. His sister, Joanne; and brother in law, Don predeceased him.
With dreams of becoming a glamorous fly-boy, Gil enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, spending half of his four years at Anderson Air Force Base on Guam. But something much more down-to-earth got his attention: Radio Anderson. Naming himself after his first car, "Art Nash" had the time of his life playing at being an Armed Forces Radio announcer, never dreaming he would spend more than 50 years in broadcast radio as Gil David.
After professional training at the University of Southern California and Don Martin's School of Radio and Television courtesy of the G.I. Bill, he was hired in 1956 by his home-town powerhouse WSBA as a first-class licensed engineer, but jumped at the chance at an on-air paying gig at WHAW in West Virginia.
With the threat of the emergent Top-40 format nipping at their #1 market position, WSBA, owned by the Susquehanna Radio Corporation, had to do something, and do it big. They lured Gil and his 1st class license home, growing family in tow, to host the station's post-midnight show, establishing them as a 24-hour station in 1958. "Little David, Keeper of the Mushroom People" was the show that became a building block of the station's dramatic Top-40 success from 1958-1969.
After more than a decade as an all-night guy, Gil was ready for daylight, and a move from York to New York, where he landed at WPTR radio, in the state's capital city.
It wasn't long before he returned to the Susquehanna fold in 1972, this time at WGBB on Long Island, where beaches and fishing were a big attraction for a farm boy from York. He called Long Island home for more than 30 years.
WGBB, located in the village of Freeport, had Long Island's first commercial license and was known for its community service, and as a career springboard for the news staff. Playing music mid-day, afternoons and during the morning drive, Gil eventually became program director and operations manager during a period of big change at both the station and in the radio business. A music jock in his soul, Gil moved on after several months of the new talk-radio format to music radio WGSM, part of the Long Island network.
He was ultimately convinced to bring his career full circle and join WHLI in 1988, playing the music he grew up with to a fiercely loyal and reliable audience. Surprising everyone, including himself, Gil David played "Come Fly with Me, as the last song on his hit parade in 2006, when he retired, relocating to the warmer beaches and rivers of North Carolina.
If radio is theater of the mind, then the magical arts is its own intimate screen. Inspired by his youngest son's interest, Gil segued into a second act as a close-up magician, crafting and perfecting his own illusions and tricks by hand, and serving as chapter president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
A champion archer, race-car driver, artist, and craftsman, Gil gave his name and talent in support of many fine organizations doing good work in service to others. In this spirit, please consider donating in his honor to the charity or humanitarian organization of your choice. He'd be pleased.
Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Gilbert Myers David, Jr, is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at Mount Zion Lutheran Church, 2164 Mount Zion Road, with The Rev. Brian A. McClinton, officiating. Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m.
Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery with military rites presented by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. Kuhner Associates Funeral Directors, Inc., 863 South George Street, York is in charge of arrangements.
KuhnerAssociates.com
Published in York Daily Record & York Dispatch on Dec. 18, 2016
(September 12, 1931 - December 10, 2016)
Wilmington, NC, Gil David, a pioneer in Top-40 radio whose storied career spanned six decades, died December 10, 2016 in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was 85.
Gilbert Myers David, Jr. was born in York, September 12, 1931 to Dorothy (Moore) and Gilbert Myers David, both deceased.
He is survived by Elyse, his wife of 38 years; brother, Donnie; children, Cheryl, Gib (Cindy), Laura (Edward), and Danny (Ivonne); grandchildren, Dylan, Zach, Rachael, Eddie, Ellie, Elias, and Demi; nieces, Donna and Pam; his in-laws, Patricia and Arthur, and a large extended family, as well as many who will forever call him friend, mentor, and the source of happy memories. His sister, Joanne; and brother in law, Don predeceased him.
With dreams of becoming a glamorous fly-boy, Gil enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, spending half of his four years at Anderson Air Force Base on Guam. But something much more down-to-earth got his attention: Radio Anderson. Naming himself after his first car, "Art Nash" had the time of his life playing at being an Armed Forces Radio announcer, never dreaming he would spend more than 50 years in broadcast radio as Gil David.
After professional training at the University of Southern California and Don Martin's School of Radio and Television courtesy of the G.I. Bill, he was hired in 1956 by his home-town powerhouse WSBA as a first-class licensed engineer, but jumped at the chance at an on-air paying gig at WHAW in West Virginia.
With the threat of the emergent Top-40 format nipping at their #1 market position, WSBA, owned by the Susquehanna Radio Corporation, had to do something, and do it big. They lured Gil and his 1st class license home, growing family in tow, to host the station's post-midnight show, establishing them as a 24-hour station in 1958. "Little David, Keeper of the Mushroom People" was the show that became a building block of the station's dramatic Top-40 success from 1958-1969.
After more than a decade as an all-night guy, Gil was ready for daylight, and a move from York to New York, where he landed at WPTR radio, in the state's capital city.
It wasn't long before he returned to the Susquehanna fold in 1972, this time at WGBB on Long Island, where beaches and fishing were a big attraction for a farm boy from York. He called Long Island home for more than 30 years.
WGBB, located in the village of Freeport, had Long Island's first commercial license and was known for its community service, and as a career springboard for the news staff. Playing music mid-day, afternoons and during the morning drive, Gil eventually became program director and operations manager during a period of big change at both the station and in the radio business. A music jock in his soul, Gil moved on after several months of the new talk-radio format to music radio WGSM, part of the Long Island network.
He was ultimately convinced to bring his career full circle and join WHLI in 1988, playing the music he grew up with to a fiercely loyal and reliable audience. Surprising everyone, including himself, Gil David played "Come Fly with Me, as the last song on his hit parade in 2006, when he retired, relocating to the warmer beaches and rivers of North Carolina.
If radio is theater of the mind, then the magical arts is its own intimate screen. Inspired by his youngest son's interest, Gil segued into a second act as a close-up magician, crafting and perfecting his own illusions and tricks by hand, and serving as chapter president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
A champion archer, race-car driver, artist, and craftsman, Gil gave his name and talent in support of many fine organizations doing good work in service to others. In this spirit, please consider donating in his honor to the charity or humanitarian organization of your choice. He'd be pleased.
Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Gilbert Myers David, Jr, is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at Mount Zion Lutheran Church, 2164 Mount Zion Road, with The Rev. Brian A. McClinton, officiating. Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m.
Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery with military rites presented by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. Kuhner Associates Funeral Directors, Inc., 863 South George Street, York is in charge of arrangements.
KuhnerAssociates.com
Published in York Daily Record & York Dispatch on Dec. 18, 2016
Gilbert Myers David, Jr.
(September 12, 1931 - December 10, 2016)
Wilmington, NC, Gil David, a pioneer in Top-40 radio whose storied career spanned six decades, died December 10, 2016 in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was 85.
Gilbert Myers David, Jr. was born in York, September 12, 1931 to Dorothy (Moore) and Gilbert Myers David, both deceased.
He is survived by Elyse, his wife of 38 years; brother, Donnie; children, Cheryl, Gib (Cindy), Laura (Edward), and Danny (Ivonne); grandchildren, Dylan, Zach, Rachael, Eddie, Ellie, Elias, and Demi; nieces, Donna and Pam; his in-laws, Patricia and Arthur, and a large extended family, as well as many who will forever call him friend, mentor, and the source of happy memories. His sister, Joanne; and brother in law, Don predeceased him.
With dreams of becoming a glamorous fly-boy, Gil enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, spending half of his four years at Anderson Air Force Base on Guam. But something much more down-to-earth got his attention: Radio Anderson. Naming himself after his first car, "Art Nash" had the time of his life playing at being an Armed Forces Radio announcer, never dreaming he would spend more than 50 years in broadcast radio as Gil David.
After professional training at the University of Southern California and Don Martin's School of Radio and Television courtesy of the G.I. Bill, he was hired in 1956 by his home-town powerhouse WSBA as a first-class licensed engineer, but jumped at the chance at an on-air paying gig at WHAW in West Virginia.
With the threat of the emergent Top-40 format nipping at their #1 market position, WSBA, owned by the Susquehanna Radio Corporation, had to do something, and do it big. They lured Gil and his 1st class license home, growing family in tow, to host the station's post-midnight show, establishing them as a 24-hour station in 1958. "Little David, Keeper of the Mushroom People" was the show that became a building block of the station's dramatic Top-40 success from 1958-1969.
After more than a decade as an all-night guy, Gil was ready for daylight, and a move from York to New York, where he landed at WPTR radio, in the state's capital city.
It wasn't long before he returned to the Susquehanna fold in 1972, this time at WGBB on Long Island, where beaches and fishing were a big attraction for a farm boy from York. He called Long Island home for more than 30 years.
WGBB, located in the village of Freeport, had Long Island's first commercial license and was known for its community service, and as a career springboard for the news staff. Playing music mid-day, afternoons and during the morning drive, Gil eventually became program director and operations manager during a period of big change at both the station and in the radio business. A music jock in his soul, Gil moved on after several months of the new talk-radio format to music radio WGSM, part of the Long Island network.
He was ultimately convinced to bring his career full circle and join WHLI in 1988, playing the music he grew up with to a fiercely loyal and reliable audience. Surprising everyone, including himself, Gil David played "Come Fly with Me, as the last song on his hit parade in 2006, when he retired, relocating to the warmer beaches and rivers of North Carolina.
If radio is theater of the mind, then the magical arts is its own intimate screen. Inspired by his youngest son's interest, Gil segued into a second act as a close-up magician, crafting and perfecting his own illusions and tricks by hand, and serving as chapter president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
A champion archer, race-car driver, artist, and craftsman, Gil gave his name and talent in support of many fine organizations doing good work in service to others. In this spirit, please consider donating in his honor to the charity or humanitarian organization of your choice. He'd be pleased.
Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Gilbert Myers David, Jr, is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at Mount Zion Lutheran Church, 2164 Mount Zion Road, with The Rev. Brian A. McClinton, officiating. Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m.
Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery with military rites presented by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. Kuhner Associates Funeral Directors, Inc., 863 South George Street, York is in charge of arrangements.
KuhnerAssociates.com
Published in York Daily Record & York Dispatch on Dec. 18, 2016
(September 12, 1931 - December 10, 2016)
Wilmington, NC, Gil David, a pioneer in Top-40 radio whose storied career spanned six decades, died December 10, 2016 in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was 85.
Gilbert Myers David, Jr. was born in York, September 12, 1931 to Dorothy (Moore) and Gilbert Myers David, both deceased.
He is survived by Elyse, his wife of 38 years; brother, Donnie; children, Cheryl, Gib (Cindy), Laura (Edward), and Danny (Ivonne); grandchildren, Dylan, Zach, Rachael, Eddie, Ellie, Elias, and Demi; nieces, Donna and Pam; his in-laws, Patricia and Arthur, and a large extended family, as well as many who will forever call him friend, mentor, and the source of happy memories. His sister, Joanne; and brother in law, Don predeceased him.
With dreams of becoming a glamorous fly-boy, Gil enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, spending half of his four years at Anderson Air Force Base on Guam. But something much more down-to-earth got his attention: Radio Anderson. Naming himself after his first car, "Art Nash" had the time of his life playing at being an Armed Forces Radio announcer, never dreaming he would spend more than 50 years in broadcast radio as Gil David.
After professional training at the University of Southern California and Don Martin's School of Radio and Television courtesy of the G.I. Bill, he was hired in 1956 by his home-town powerhouse WSBA as a first-class licensed engineer, but jumped at the chance at an on-air paying gig at WHAW in West Virginia.
With the threat of the emergent Top-40 format nipping at their #1 market position, WSBA, owned by the Susquehanna Radio Corporation, had to do something, and do it big. They lured Gil and his 1st class license home, growing family in tow, to host the station's post-midnight show, establishing them as a 24-hour station in 1958. "Little David, Keeper of the Mushroom People" was the show that became a building block of the station's dramatic Top-40 success from 1958-1969.
After more than a decade as an all-night guy, Gil was ready for daylight, and a move from York to New York, where he landed at WPTR radio, in the state's capital city.
It wasn't long before he returned to the Susquehanna fold in 1972, this time at WGBB on Long Island, where beaches and fishing were a big attraction for a farm boy from York. He called Long Island home for more than 30 years.
WGBB, located in the village of Freeport, had Long Island's first commercial license and was known for its community service, and as a career springboard for the news staff. Playing music mid-day, afternoons and during the morning drive, Gil eventually became program director and operations manager during a period of big change at both the station and in the radio business. A music jock in his soul, Gil moved on after several months of the new talk-radio format to music radio WGSM, part of the Long Island network.
He was ultimately convinced to bring his career full circle and join WHLI in 1988, playing the music he grew up with to a fiercely loyal and reliable audience. Surprising everyone, including himself, Gil David played "Come Fly with Me, as the last song on his hit parade in 2006, when he retired, relocating to the warmer beaches and rivers of North Carolina.
If radio is theater of the mind, then the magical arts is its own intimate screen. Inspired by his youngest son's interest, Gil segued into a second act as a close-up magician, crafting and perfecting his own illusions and tricks by hand, and serving as chapter president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
A champion archer, race-car driver, artist, and craftsman, Gil gave his name and talent in support of many fine organizations doing good work in service to others. In this spirit, please consider donating in his honor to the charity or humanitarian organization of your choice. He'd be pleased.
Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Gilbert Myers David, Jr, is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at Mount Zion Lutheran Church, 2164 Mount Zion Road, with The Rev. Brian A. McClinton, officiating. Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m.
Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery with military rites presented by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. Kuhner Associates Funeral Directors, Inc., 863 South George Street, York is in charge of arrangements.
KuhnerAssociates.com
Published in York Daily Record & York Dispatch on Dec. 18, 2016
