Joseph Gentry
Joseph Gentry is the oldest continuing on-air broadcaster in America. In May 2018, he was inducted into the Utah Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He was two months shy of turning 101 when he was notified of this honor.
“Uncle Joe,” as he is known throughout the Richfield, Utah, area, was born in Richfield on July 21, 1917. He graduated from Beaver High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University.
He broadcasts a pre-recorded hour show for Mid-Utah Radio (KSVC) on Sunday mornings and writes his own script on a manual typewriter. He also brings in his own vinyl records to play as part of his broadcast. He first began broadcasting for the station in 1955 and continued his responsibilities of on-air announcing, reporting news, and copy writing until 1972, when he took a ten year break. His weekly program is “Musical Masterpieces” continued in 1982.
In 2014, Gentry was honored as the Grand Marshal of Richfield’s 4th of July parade. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
