GREENSBORO, NC (WFMY) -- The WFMY News 2 family suffered a tremendous lost Saturday.
Longtime anchor, news legend, and pioneer Lee Kinard passed away Saturday morning surrounded by his family at Moses Cone Hospital.
Kinard touched the lives of so many during his lifetime, both in front of the camera, and when the cameras were turned off.
Former WFMY News 2 Anchor Sandra Hughes reflects on her times spent with her colleague and friend.
Everyone has a Lee Kinard Story. Whether you're a longtime friend like Shirley Frye.
This woman who had been in a coma, and she awakened and heard Lee talking about reading connection and learning to read. So what she did was pick up her bible, and took it with her and learned to read the bible from reading connections," said Frye.
Or if you were someone who has only known him a few years.
"Being a friend that you may have never met -- but when you did meet him, you already had the friendship going and you could talk to him about anything. He was just a genuine guy," said Bill Price.
For decades, Lee Kinard told the stories of the Triad. Today he is the story. One that brings a mix of emotions.
"Immediately. Sadness. But by the same time -- Joy. Knowing that here is a man that had given so much to our city and our county, and had meant so much to so many people you had to be filled with joy that he used his gifts, and his talents to better our City," said the former president of Guilford Technical Community College, Donald Cameron. Kinard worked at GTCC after he retired from WFMY News 2.
"The voice of Greensboro. If Lee Kinard said it, and broadcast it, it was true," said former Mayor Pro Tem, Don Vaughan, who oversaw the project to have a street at UNC Greensboro named after Kinard.
If Lee Kinard said it, people believed it," said Frye.
Today's news is the one news story nobody wants to hear about Lee Kinard, which is why this final sign-off is so tough.
"I... I will just miss him," Frye said for us all.
Kinard was slated to receive the Unsung Hero Award at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum Gala in 2018.
The award was presented by Sandra Hughes. Unfortunately, Lee was not present at the gala because of an injury from a fall he had at his house.
U.S. Congressman Mark Walker also added sentiments on the passing of the beloved Lee Kinard. Walker referred to Kinard as someone who displayed true journalistic excellence!
“Kelly and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lee Kinard. During eventful decades of change for our nation, Lee was a steadfast and trustworthy voice for our community, always advocating for a better life for all. For many in the Triad, he will always be the first and best memory of journalistic excellence.”
U.S. Congressman Ted Budd stated, " I was saddened this morning to hear of the passing of local WFMY News 2 anchor Lee Kinard. Over the decades, Lee covered some of the most important and historical times in American history. The Triad community mourns this loss, but the legacy surrounding the “father of the Good Morning Show” will not be soon forgotten.
PHOTOS | Remembering Former WFMY News 2 Good Morning Show Legend Lee Kinard
WFMY News 2 President and General Manager Larry Audas issued the following statement upon being notified of Kinard's passing. Comparing him to the likes of Walter Cronkite.
“Respectfully, Lee was the Walter Cronkite of Greensboro... but his influence, service and love of community extended beyond the news desk. He was a pioneer and will be remembered."
WFMY 's Eric Chilton and Ben Briscoe reflected earlier this afternoon on what made Kinard so special!
WFMY's own Meghann Mollerus shared her thoughts via Facebook on Lee Kinard. She had the opportunity to work alongside Kinard for the Good Morning Show's 60th-anniversary celebration.
Eric Albright was a Good Morning Show studio cameraman, his very first job fresh out of graduating from Appalachian State University in 1986. With help from Kinard, he soon started working as a floor director. From time to time Kinard would also integrate Albright into his programming!
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