NC Radio: Fayetteville Host Jeff Thompson To Retire

Jeff Thompson

Jeff Thompson, familiar long-time voice on Fayetteville radio stations, is calling it quits after 52 years.

Thompson, most recently with WIDU 1600 AM, said he plans to retire on Oct. 31.

"This is probably the quickest way to let my friends and followers know that after 52 years, I have decided to retire from radio," the release said.

Thompson began his radio career in September 1963 after he completed his enlistment and was discharged from the Army at Fort Bragg. He said he decided to stay in Fayetteville.

"I married a local girl and raised three children," Thompson said. "I've considered Fayetteville our home all these years and am proud to have had the privilege of chronicling this community's news events day to day."

The fayobserver.com reports Thompson previously worked at WFNC 640 AM. He was a regular on "Fayetteville's Morning News" starting in 1976. The station's original news show was called "Top of the Morning."

He worked with a number of popular local anchors and reporters like Wendy Riddle, Terry Jordan and Gilbert Baez.

Thompson said he plans to stay in Fayetteville and has no plans of slowing down. "I'm not going anywhere," Thompson said, "just putting aside the microphone. I hope to remain involved in civic affairs as all concerned citizens should."