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F. Dail Obituary
He was employed by WGH Radio for 34 years. He served as General Manager for 23 of those years. In addition, he served as Director for several other Daily Press companies, including Newport News Cablevision and Danville Cablevision. He began his broadcast career during high school in Danville, Va., on WBTM; he became a fulltime announcer by the age of 20. He broadcast on KFAR Fairbanks, Alaska during WWll, while serving in the Army Air Force Communication Service. He moved to Newport News in 1949 where he became a morning radio personality. During his career, he emceed everything from morning kiddie shows to beauty pageants. He saw the radio revolution of the 60's and rode the crest of Elvis and the Beatles. His innovations included on-air contests, an augmented news department,
custom jingles, and his well known editorials. These innovations, as well as the brilliant on-air talent working for WGH at the time, made it the most listened-to radio station in Tidewater. The AP voted WGH the Best Radio
News Operation in Virginia for 10 consecutive years.
His accolades included President of the Va. Association of Broadcasters and Va. Associated Press Broadcasters. He was twice elected President of the Tidewater Association of Radio Broadcasters, which he organized. He was also national chairman of the Association of Independent Metropolitan Stations.
After retiring in 1982, Ambert continued his community service by reading news to the blind over WYCS in Yorktown, and was a docent at the Mariner's Museum.
Ambert was a devout and committed Christian, a lay reader, a Sunday School teacher for more than 40 years, and an elder at both First Presbyterian Church and later at Yorkminster Presbyterian Church. He moved to "The Chesapeake" in 2001, where he recorded the New Testament as his legacy.
Ambert was preceded in death by Isabell, his loving wife of 53 years.
He is survived by his sons, William A. Dail of Dripping Springs, Texas, and Stephen M. Dail of Newport News, Va. He is also survived by four loving
grandchildren, Genessa Coakley, Nathan Dail, Marc Cohen, and Sarah Dail, as well as two great-grandchildren, Noah Coakley and Jeremiah Dail; longtime family friend Connie Wiatt also survives him.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2010, in the Chesapeake Room at The Chesapeake, 955 Harpersville Rd., Newport News. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for F. Dail
Errol Conner
August 2, 2010
I lived in Hampton from 1965 to 1975. WGH was THE station my family listened to. My first memories of Ambert Dail were the WGH editorials he recorded. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family. Under his leadership, WGH was one of the greatest stations in the country. I have learned that he was a fine Christian man who touched the lives of many. My only two regrets are that I never had the chance to meet him, or have the privilege of working for him. God keep you in his loving arms.
norma williams
July 31, 2010
To Family and Friends, I am sorry to hear about your loss. God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Jeff Davis
July 31, 2010
Ambert was one of the most affable poeple I've ever worked with. We often judge people by their accomplishments, of which his were many but he was loved by many for who he was. My prayers and condolences to the family.
Bob Wrenn
July 31, 2010
Wink:
So sorry to hear about your dad. A true legend in local broadcasting and a true friend to his community, he will be missed.
kathy Olding
July 30, 2010
And even all the way to Alaska did his legacy come to be known. I learned of his illness through my boyfriend who knew him personally himself as did his father (Eric Sheriff). I am sure he will be missed..especially in the mornings when people came to expect him to be there for them. I understand he had the perfect voice for what he did. Condolances to the family.
respectfully, Kathy Olding
Tok, Alaska
Phillip, Mary, Zachary and Marisa Jones
July 30, 2010
Winky and Peggy, We are very sorry to hear of your loss. We are keeping you in our prayers.
Joseph Carroll
July 30, 2010
As a 68 year old listener of WGH Radio in the 60s. I will always remember the voice of AMBERT DAIL and tthe Satalite 6 crew of Gene Loving and the others on the radio. I also remember well Mr.Dail's Sunday collum in the Daily Press,"ON THE AIR."The Tidewater area has truely lost a great legend and announcer/GM in the passing of Mr Dail. May God bring comfort to his family in this time of sorrow,and may they know that up above there is truely a great angel .
display ad for Ambert and Junior's breakfast show on WGH in 1949
Jackson Douglas
July 30, 2010
Jackson Douglas
July 30, 2010
Ambert Dail was an important contributor to radio in the Tidewater area. He will be long remembered for his leadership in building WGH
into the great station it was in the 1960's. Please accept my condolences.
Dale Parsons
July 30, 2010
Ambert Dail was an excellent manager, a fine human being and true gentleman. I am grateful for big break he gave me, a 19-year old kid at the time, to work on the air at WGH many years ago. WGH was a special place to work because of the leadership of Ambert Dail. He understood the importance of serving the community ... with top notch news, information and entertainment.
I feel especially fortunate to have spoken with him just a few weeks ago. As he prepared for the end of his life, he was facing it with courage, strength and humor. He seemed to truly be at peace. It was an inspirational conversation.
Ambert will be remembered fondly by the many lives he touched and mentored. My thoughts and prayers are with the Dail family in their time of grief.
Joseph Madagan
July 30, 2010
Dear Winky, your dear father had a tremendous impact on the lives of so many young men in East End when he volunteered as the Cub Scout Master for Cub Scout Pack 12, Marshall Courts Recreation Center. Most of us served our nation in the military due to the fine example your father set for us and inspired us to serve our Nation.
Dripping Springs, TX connection will call you soon.
Phil Beckman
July 30, 2010
I worked for Ambert at the end of his days at WGH. He was a true gentleman, and certainly presided over some of the most amazingly talented people ever in radio. My condolences also to the Dail family.
Debby Rimmer Nelson
July 30, 2010
When my family moved here in 1964, WGH was THE radio station of choice. I fell asleep and woke up to the station for many years. I remember all the DJ's and Ambert Dail with fondness. To the Dail family - even though you don't know me personally, I am sure I speak for a generation when I say I am so sorry for your loss. In reading the other entries, I see what a fine man Mr. Dail was. You will be in my prayers for comfort during this difficult time.
Gene Loving
July 30, 2010
In 1961 Ambert Dail is the person who offered me a chance to do the afternoon show. During the 9 years I worked at WGH I never heard Ambert raise his voice or say a cross word to anybody. He was a first class person, a truly nice man. Under Ambert's leadership WGH became one of America's best known radio stations. My condolences to the Dail family.
Joyce Blymyer
July 30, 2010
Dear Winky and Steve, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. He was a wonderful man. At least we know for certain he will be in heaven!
Freddie Wilson
July 30, 2010
Winky
Sorry to hear about your dad. He truly was the leader of radio in Tidewater.
Herman King
July 30, 2010
Ambert was my boss at WGH for 18 years. God bless him and his family. Herman King
Everett Hollins
July 30, 2010
I am sadden by the passing of a wonderful teacher, manager, and Man of God , who touched my life and made such an impression that will remain with me forever. I have taken notes from him and tried my best to imitate the refined qualities bestowed upon me by him. He gave a lesson for the day without trying, just an example of kindness and compassion that made one want to win a race he never knew he was in. And at the end of the day I felt I had been trained to master conflict with Love. Thanks Mr F. Ambert Dail... Everett Hollins.
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