Longtime Broadcaster Dave Daughtry Dies

October 29, 2015

Funeral services will be held Saturday for Dave Daughtry, a popular figure in local radio and television for more than 30 years.

Daughtry died Tuesday at a Pensacola hospital. The native of Macon County, Ala. was 76.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Pensacola. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m.

Daughtry, who got his start in broadcasting at a small radio station in Andalusia, Ala., had hosted the morning show on WEBY-AM in Milton for the past 14 years. In addition, he moderated a Sunday night BLAB-TV show, “Justice for All,” featuring attorneys Barry Beroset and Tommy Ratchford.

Although he also had been an anchor on WEAR-TV in Pensacola and a reporter-anchor on WALA-TV in Mobile, “radio was what he loved most,” said Denise Chenel Daughtry, his wife of 26 years.

His love meant long and early hours. He started preparing for his two-hour show at 2:30 a.m. and arrived at the Milton station at 5 a.m. in order to go on the air at 6 a.m.

“He joined us in 2001 and he’s been our morning guy ever since,” said Mike Bates, owner of WEBY. “We even ran a promotion called ‘Wake Up With Dave’ and that’s what a lot of people did.”

In addition to delivering news, weather and sports, Mr. Daughtry created a whimsical character, “Farmer Dave,” who dispensed folksy bits of philosophy. The “Farmer Dave” title was tongue-in-cheek, his wife said, because he knew a lot about gardening but little about farming.

However, he knew a lot about broadcasting in a career that covered several states and innumerable assignments. From that first job in Andalusia. Daughtry went to Huntsville and worked his way up at other stations before moving to Nashville, and switching to television. He was news director and anchor for WSM television and dominated the ratings there for several years.

He was press secretary for the City of Knoxville and also worked at television stations in Memphis and Washington, D.C.

Daughtry came to Pensacola more than 30 years ago to anchor the news at WEAR-TV and then spent several years with WALA-TV.

Along with his love for newsgathering and writing, he had a strong voice and loved to belt out songs. His beloved dogs Peaches and Pal often accompanied him on trips from his home in the Historic Seville District in Pensacola.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children: Bonnie Daughtry Barazza (Mike), Michael Daughtry (Sheila) and Patrick Daughtry (Lynn), all of the Auburn area. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren: Lindsey Seal, Shannon Barazza Hlcome, Evan Barazza, Patrick Houston Daughtry Jr., Amanda Daughtry Van Ausdal, Shelby Prestridge and Benjamin Daughtry. Daughtry also was eagerly awaiting the birth of his first great-grandchild by Amanda and Don Van Ausdal.

Comments

15 Responses to “Longtime Broadcaster Dave Daughtry Dies”

  1. Jeff Van Gilder on November 2nd, 2015 9:26 am

    I worked for Dave as a Producer in his Daughtry Audio Visual Enterprises business that was located on Palafox and later next to McGuire’s Irish Pub near downtown Pensacola. Dave had become a good friend during those years. He even sang “The Lord’s Prayer” at our wedding in 1990. We moved away from Pensacola in 1995 to Montgomery, AL and had lost touch with Dave. I work for the State of Alabama there now. Sorry to hear that he is gone!

  2. james braswell on October 31st, 2015 5:52 pm

    I first meet Dave through my daughter, who worked with Dave on his morning show. He always called her, his little buddy. Such a wonderful person. I do miss waking up and driving to work and hearing his voice in my car. There is no replacement. Rest in peace Dave. Thanks for your dedicated time. You are missed.

  3. Tony House on October 31st, 2015 5:30 pm

    Dave was my weekday morning radio companion. Loved his show on WEBY. Finally got to meet him at the Holland Farms peanut festival a couple years ago and got a chance to tell him in person that I enjoyed his morning show.
    A good man.

    God Speed to you Mr. Daughtry!

  4. Haley on October 30th, 2015 9:02 am

    Oh my gosh, I listened to Dave every morning on my way to work. I was so shocked to hear about his passing. My sympathy to his family. He will be missed.

  5. D G Spain on October 30th, 2015 8:14 am

    I am so very sorry to get this news. My son Jason and I send our condolences to Dave’s family and many friends. Dave and my husband, Don Spain, worked together for several years at WSM in Nashville and became lifelong friends. I have such wonderful memories from that friendship. He was a thoughtful and caring man who touched many lives in such a positive way. He will be remembered lovingly by so many.

  6. Melanie on October 29th, 2015 10:21 pm

    I remember as a child how my mother loved his eyes, how my father never felt jelous, i came to realize , it was not just the cuteness of him but the conviction for what he did that made him attractive to all. God bless his survivors…

  7. Nancy Good Siler on October 29th, 2015 6:26 pm

    Denise, I am so sorry for your loss. Although it has been many years since I have seen you both (your wedding, I believe) I was so overjoyed that you had found each other… he was such a nice man. My deepest sympathies…

  8. Melanie Nichols on October 29th, 2015 3:41 pm

    Denise, My prayers are with you. It’s difficult to imagine Dave no longer being here because he was so very much alive and active in the community. He had such a lovely singing voice and I remember fondly hearing him sing during the Winterfest events and how much joy he brought everyone and what a wonderful, kind husband is was to you. You are in my thoughts.

    Melanie

  9. Teresa in Pensacola on October 29th, 2015 2:24 pm

    I have enjoyed the morning program for years on my drive into downtown Pensacola I hope the best for the morning program I will miss Mr Dave’s
    friendly personality but I thing the A Dog will do a wonderful job taking the
    reins.

  10. Lisa Peck on October 29th, 2015 11:31 am

    I loved my visits with Mr. Daughtry when we ran into each other while walking our dogs. He was a fascinating gentleman and I will miss our talks. My sincere condolencences to his family.

  11. Robert Martin on October 29th, 2015 10:47 am

    For years, I only knew of Dave from the local TV station and, later WEBY. One day, last year, my wife and I were greeted with a dead battery in a local parking lot. I had raised my hood for the AAA rescue, and was waiting. A small SUV drove by, turned around and came back. The driver was Dave. He asked if I needed some help. He, with Peaches and Pal, gave me a battery boost. I’ll always remember this chance encounter, and his friendly manner.

    God bless you and your family, Dave

  12. Fred Sebastian on October 29th, 2015 10:39 am

    I’ve listened to Dave on WEBY in the morning. I don’t wake up til 9:00 AM but had my alarm set for 6:05 each morning to listen to Dave and his insightful comments, in addition I liked his Tales of the Weird segment, some of the things done by people on this segment were unbelievable. I come from the same generation as Dave, he will be missed by me and there is now a hole in my morning. My alarm will no longer be set at 6:05 and I will sleep through to 9:00 AM. My condolences to his family, including the dogs, sorry I didn’t get a chance to meet him in person.

  13. Bob's Brother on October 29th, 2015 10:04 am

    My condolences to Mike Bates and the other people at WEBY that worked alongside Dave. I’m going to miss that pleasant “nice guy” voice of Dave’s. Condolences also to Dave’s close friends and family. God Bless y’all.

  14. Lifendason on October 29th, 2015 8:17 am

    I’ve listened to Dave just about every weekday morning for over 5 years now. He will be missed and prayers go out to his family. I do believe Dave mentioned that he had trusted Jesus Christ as his Saviour so today “Morning Folks” is broadcasting on the Heavenly Radio.

  15. Dr James Kidd on October 29th, 2015 6:29 am

    Very sorry yo hear about Dave.
    My deepest sympathy to his wife and family.
    Listened to Dave most mornings for the last five years while starting the morning.
    Appreciated his candor and being there on holidays.
    An old school type broadcaster,he will be missed and is not replaceable.
    God Bless You Dave,
    James Kidd MD
    Baton Rouge,La

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News