Mr. Jerry Peterson

Over TV and radio, folksy meteorologist Jerry Peterson always flipped on his showmanship switch.

Thunderstorms became thunderboomers - his trademark catchphrase. When a cold blast blew in he might bellow something like "It's snuggle time."

Peterson, who died Friday in Rock Hill at age 76, favored loud ties and vests and booming delivery style. During his 10-year as weatherman on WSOC-TV (Channel 9) he build a loyal following.

When his contract wasn't renewed in 1986 station officials wouldn't give the reason. But the Observer reported speculation had centered on research that indicated Peterson was falling from favor with the audience and the station wanted someone with a more straightforward approach.

Peterson tried new ventures, finally landing on Rock Hill's radio station WRHI as morning show sidekick and weatherman. It was his longest broadcasting job - 21 years.

"Jerry was bigger than life," said Manning Kimmel, managing partner of Our Three Sons Broadcasting. "His humor was incredible. There was a lot of fun in him."

Peterson's duties included remote broadcasts and emceeing special events. He also spoke at schools and civic clubs. In 2005, Peterson was instrumental in helping WRHI win the first of four South Carolina Broadcasters Association Radio Station of the Year awards. Last year, he got the association's Lifetime Achievement Award.

"He was a very big part of the radio station," Kimmel said. "And he was a very big part of the community."

Long before Doppler radar, computers and the Internet, Peterson drew his own weather maps

Every weekday morning at WRHI, Peterson showed up with a sheet of paper with an outline of the U.S. on it. He also carried a manila envelope filled with colored pencils.

"He'd sit down and draw very carefully all the weather systems in the country," Kimmel said. "He'd gotten the data from 15 websites."

On the air Peterson served up the weather information in his own colorful style. It might be have been over-the-top but it was "never blah," Kimmel said.

A native of Ponca City, Okla., Peterson graduated from Penn State University in 1956. He was among the first in the country to earn a broadcast meteorological degree.

As a TV sportscaster at KFDX-TV in Wichita Falls, Texas, Peterson worked with future CBS anchor Dan Rather.

Other broadcast jobs took him to Oklahoma City, Tampa, Houston and Chicago. In 1972, he was weatherman/meteorologist at "Super Station" WGN-TV in Chicago. While there, he worked with Bozo the Clown.

During his stay at WSOC, Peterson was a major advocate and emcee for the national Easter Seals Telethon and served on several charity committees, including the charity arm of Lowe's Motor Speedway (now Charlotte Motor Speedway).

Former Rock Hill Mayor Betty Jo Rhea first met Peterson years ago in Charlotte while she and husband dined at a SouthPark restaurant.

"We heard that thunderbooming voice and recognized it," she said. "We went over and introduced ourselves."

Later, when Peterson and his wife, Melba, opened a bed and breakfast, the East Main Street Guest House in Rock Hill, they were neighbors with Rhea's son.

She said Peterson got involved in such projects as historic preservation and downtown revitalization.

"He was a great supporter of the city of Rock Hill," Rhea said. "He was more than a good voice. He didn't just say things; he did things as well."

Patterson was heard again Saturday as WRHI replayed excerpts from his old radio shows.

For Kimmel, it showed the thunderboomer's "heart was as big as his voice. He loved people."

Peterson is survived by his wife and three sons. A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel in Rock Hill.