Luther Masingill woke most of us up for over 70 years. He passed away five years ago, Oct. 20, 2014, at exactly 6:00. That was the time his program started every morning.
Luther was a Chattanooga native and graduate of Central High School. He served time in the U.S. Army.
Luther started on WDEF Radio Dec.
31, 1940. WDOD’s original owner Earl Winger and Ted Turner, who owned WGOW, tried to hire Luther but he declined.
Luther belonged to the Avondale Baptist Church for most of his life. He was always willing
to share his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Other broadcasters joked that Luther had a straight line to area officials and school superintendents when it snowed. One time Luther announced inclement weather was on the way. Red Food Stores shelves were empty of bread and milk within hours.
Luther was friends with Stan Freburg who recorded, “Christmas Dragnet”. Jerry Clower and the late Governor Jimmie Davis came to see Luther when they had new records. Floyd Cramer said Luther was the first one to play his million selling record, “Last Date”. Luther broke the recording by the Rhodes Kids, “A Carpenter, Mother and a King”. It’s now a Christmas standard. Luther had many favorite recording artists. He liked Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Vic Damone, Jim Reeves and Joanie Sommers. He named his daughter after Ms. Sommers.
Luther was inducted into both the National and Tennessee Radio Hall of Fames. He received many awards during his lengthy career.
Luther’s community calendar on WDEF TV was a fixture and he was known for finding everyone’s lost pets.
Luther was proud he gave Dr. Billy Graham a ride in his Model T from Warner Park to the Hotel Patten when Dr. Graham held his 1953 crusade in Chattanooga. Luther said he found Dr. Graham was very interesting during their short conversation.
Luther was inseparable from Buddy Houts who ran his control board for years. After Buddy went to the Chattanooga News Free Press he called Luther several times a week with something funny.
Luther liked to help people and didn’t want any recognition. His best friends included Harold Coker, Forrest Cate, Bill Hullander and Jim Crittenden. This list could go on and on. Luther loved his broadcast companions in Chattanooga.
We remember the family table at Ricky’s restaurant on 4th Avenue where you could come in nearly every day and eat with Luther among others. Luther's Tuesday lunch bunch is still active today.
This is a very incomplete writing. Luther’s accomplishment are many.
The family gave longtime friend and former WDEF radio manager Ben Cagle permission to video Luther’s last ride from his church to the National Cemetery where Luther was laid to rest. I invite you to watch.