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Cary H. Simpson

Jan. 25, 1927 – Dec. 27, 2016

Cary H. Simpson, 89, 601 Fifth St., Tyrone, died Tuesday at UPMC Altoona.

He was born in Huntingdon, son of Frederick M. and Lois Hatcher Simpson. He married Betty F. Finnegan on Aug. 16, 1958, at Evangelical United Brethren Church, Tyrone. She preceded him in death on Jan. 8, 2000.

Surviving are a daughter, Barbara S. (Nick) Becker of Coral Springs, Fla.; a son, Ted (Betsy) Simpson of Alexandria; five Becker grandchildren: Nicholas, Emily, Will, Matthew and Michael; and three Simpson grandchildren: Tim, Laci and Liam.

Cary was a graduate of Huntingdon High School and Juniata College, Huntingdon. During WWII, he served as a radio operator in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific Theatre on the USS Wisconsin, a BB64 battleship, and the USS Mercury. He and his father are believed to be the only father-son duo to serve simultaneously in the 6th fleet in the Pacific during WWII.

After college graduation, Cary worked for several out-of-state radio stations; and in the early 1950s, he returned to Pennsylvania and began building a group of small radio stations which became known as the Allegheny Mountain Radio Network. He had been the owner and president of WTRN Radio since its inception. He was a member of the National Association of Broadcasters and former director and member of the Radio Advertising Bureau executive committee and chairman of the small market committee. He was a former director and past president of the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters, and in 1985, he was named PA Broadcaster of the Year. He had served as a member of the advisory committee of the Penn State School of Communications.

Cary was a member of the Presbyterian church, where he had served as an elder, deacon and a former clerk of the session. He was a past member of Tyrone Hospital board of directors, former president of the Camp Anderson Corp. of Boy Scouts and a former director of the Tyrone Chamber of Commerce.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, at Tyrone Presbyterian Church, followed by a 4 p.m. funeral service by Pastor Mark Liller. Private burial will be at the convenience of the family. Arrange­ments are by Richard H. Searer Funeral Home Inc., Tyrone.

Contributions in memory of Cary H. Simpson may be made to the Betty Simpson Memorial Scholarship Fund, Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA 16652.