R.I.P.: Nebraska Radio Broadcaster John C. Mitchell, Sr.

John Mitchell

Nebraska radio owner John C. Mitchell Sr. died Friday in Longboat Key, Florida.

He was 89.

He launched a career in broadcasting starting with the purchase of KGFW radio in 1953. He then acquired KRCB in Council Bluffs, Iowa in 1973. Over the years, he grew Mitchell Broadcasting Corporation to include KQKQ, KKAR, KOIL, KGDE, Omaha; KGFW, KQKY, KRNY, Kearney; KXNP and KODY, North Platte; KUVR and KMTY, Holdrege; KLIQ, Hastings; KHUB and KFMY, Fremont.

In 1996 he was inducted into the Nebraska Broadcaster's Hall of Fame. The University of Nebraska Department of Journalism and the Nebraska Broadcaster's Association awarded him the Pioneer Award in 2013 for leadership and education in broadcast journalism.