R.I.P.: Randy Reets, Longtime Brenham, TX Radio Voice

Randy Reets

Emil Kocurek Jr., known to radio audiences as Randy Reets, died Tuesday at the age of 88, according to KWHI Radio. Reets was hospitalized last week after suffering what his family revealed on Facebook was a catastrophic stroke.

Reets was born in Wharton, and his family later settled in Sealy, where he graduated high school.

He later went to college at the University of Houston to study for a career in broadcasting.

After college, Reets first joined the staff here at KWHI in 1958 as a disc jockey. By his own admission, he adopted the “Randy Reets” name after deciding that his given name, Emil Kocurek Jr., didn’t sound like a radio name.

His broadcasting career spanned over 60 years, most of which were here at KWHI where he wore a variety of hats including disc jockey, news director, sports director, operations manager, salesman, and sales manager.

Reets was also a long time play-by-play voice for the Brenham Cubs, Burton Panthers, Blinn Buccaneers, and Washington County Little League. During his career, he called games for nearly every high school in Washington and the surrounding counties.  

Reets also played in band that was first known as Randy and the Rockets, and later became the Serenaders.