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FUNERAL HOME

D. O. McComb and Sons - Lakeside Park

1140 Lake Ave

Fort Wayne, Indiana

CHRISTOPHER LARKO Obituary

CHRISTOPHER LARKO, 51, longtime Northeast Indiana radio personality and radio station owner, died on Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, after an 11 month battle with cancer. He was born on May 30, 1958, in Fort Wayne, son of Arthur Lawrence Larko and Roberta Louise (Brodbeck) Larko. Chris was founder and President of Larko Communications, Inc., which owns WMYQ-FM 101.1 and WBZQ-AM 1300. He began his radio career at age 15, working for area stations including WLYV, WAFX, WLKI, WHUZ, and WAJI, as well as stations in Wheeling, W. Va. and Fort Walton Beach, Fla. In 1984, while at WAFX, he produced and engineered a Peabody Award-winning radio documentary entitled D-Day: 40 Years Later. In the 1980's, he owned and operated a popular mobile DJ business, Dancemusic, and established Audio Masters and Chris Larko Productions, which provided audio production services to area and national businesses and advertising agencies. In addition, he often advised radio stations throughout Michigan and Indiana on issues of engineering and programming. His dream however, had always been to own a radio station. He got his opportunity in 1992 when he obtained the license for a newly-allocated frequency and went on the air with Q101 (originally WLZQ-FM, now My Q101, WMYQ-FM) broadcasting to Kosciusko, Whitley, Wabash and Huntington counties. In 1998, he acquired WBZQ-AM 1300 (Oldies 1300) in Huntington. An avid Chicago Cubs fan, Chris proudly signed Oldies 1300 to the Chicago Cubs Radio Network in 2002 as the sole broadcasting affiliate for northeastern Indiana. Chris is survived by his fianceé, Kelli Richards of Fort Wayne; daughter, Jennifer Larko of Fort Wayne; longtime family friend, Susan Derr of Fort Wayne; half-brothers, Lee (Carolyn) Larko of Georgia and Beaudine (Michelle) Larko of Florida; half-sister, Teri Larko Rametta of Florida; and his father. He was preceded in death by his mother; and grandparents. Calling is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, with a brief prayer at 2 p.m. at D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Avenue. Graveside service to follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.mccombandsons.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Fort Wayne Newspapers on Feb. 23, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for CHRISTOPHER LARKO

Sponsored by his fiance, Kelli Richards.

14 Entries

George Womack

September 27, 2012

I can not believe what I have found on the internet about Chris passing on. I knew Chris back in 1974 when he used to be on the CB radio and we both had our Third Class Radiotelephone Licenses with the Broadcast Endorsement, which is what you needed back then to be an Announcer on the Radio. Chris went on with his Radio Aspirations and really accomplished much! My Sincere Prayers to the Family and his Fiance. May the Love of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with everyone that Chris ever knew. Gospel of John 3:16 says it all ! God Speed to YOU Chris !!!! 73 from WB9SJZ / Amateur Radio ....

Tommy Kareckas

May 7, 2010

I had the good fortune of meeting Chris & working with him back in the late 90's at KMB Broadcasting - WDBC/WYKX in Escanaba, Michigan. He was installing a new automation system for us (that I believe still runs there today) and teaching us not so tech saavy yoopers how it was done. As program director, I spent many a late nights up with him working out all the kinks. It was a true pleasure working with a guy who had so much knowledge to share about every aspect of radio...mobile dee-jaying and then some. We shared a lot during those late night, pre-dawn hours...radio, family, life in general...you name it. Thank you, Chris. I'll never forget you my friend. God's speed & R.I.P. for now, forever & for eternity. ~ Tommy Kareckas - [email protected]

James Cassell

March 5, 2010

I met Chris Larko way back in 1971 when we were teenagers and always like hanging around "Harvy's Electonics Store" on Hessen Cassel Rd. & McKinnie Ave.,(Across from McMillen Park)and by Village Woods Addison on the SE Side Of Fort Wayne. Chris will be miss! God Bless! -Jim "Rooster" Cassell / Classic Fort Wayne [email protected]

Marie Summers

March 2, 2010

Chris was more than just a customer, he was a member of our little BSI family. Though we never met face to face he was always ready to listen and be friend to so many. He would always tell me about his cats and we would laugh at the stories. Chris also always had time to check in on me and my family during some of the difficult times in our lives and for that I will always be thankful. He always told me that he felt lucky to have friends who cared enought to check in on him from time to time to see how he was and that it made a difference to him. I feel honored to have known him and have his friendship for the past several years. I wish his family and girlfriend my heartfelt sympathies and hope that the fact he is at peace now allow them to heal.

Steve Sipe

February 24, 2010

My condolences to the family. I worked with Chris at WVOT-AM/WXYY-FM in Wilson, NC. A great broadcaster and a great guy.

Toni Derry

February 24, 2010

Rest in peace Chris, may the angels carry you on their wings now and give you the rest and peace you need. Job well done my friend, Godspeed to you.

February 24, 2010

I am so very sorry to hear of Chris' passing. While I know he was an avid Cubs fan he was also willing to add the White Sox broadcasts to his stations last year and I was fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to know him and enjoy a very positive working relationship. My condolences to his family. Debbie Saul, Creative Sports Management (chicago)

Steven Payne

February 24, 2010

My thoughts and prayers go out to his daughter and fiancee. I worked for Chris at Chris Larko Productions in the 80's. He was someone I've never forgotten.

LAURIE

February 23, 2010

IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME, BUT I REMEMBER THE FEW TIMES WE WENT OUT, OVER 20 YEARS AGO, YOU WERE FUN TO BE WITH, YOU WILL BE MISSED GREATLY, MY CONDOLENCES TO YOUR FAMILY.

Chris Cage

February 23, 2010

Too often underestimated, Chris was a self-educated, street-wise, creative magician; a guy who did a whole lot with just a little. He was one of a kind; passionate about radio...brimming with humor and irony...he will be missed.

February 23, 2010

PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY
AUNT JUDY AND UNCLE DON AUSDERAN FROM BRADENTON FLORIDA

Darlene Duke

February 23, 2010

Kelli, You have my deepest sympathy. You and Chris's family are in my prayers

janice cook

February 23, 2010

We will be praying for all of the family. Chris helped me with my first demo and was friends with my father Jim Keeton.

February 23, 2010

May our prayers be with the family- Afdent Dental

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