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SHAWKEY EMILE SABA

1928 - 2014

BORN

1928

DIED

2014

SHAWKEY SABA Obituary

SHAWKEY EMILE SABA, ceased his earthly life March 28, 2014. He was a resident of Rome Township, Ohio, for the past 44 years. He was born March 29, 1928, at St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington, and was the son of the late Hazel Ann and Andrew E. Saba of Charleston, W.Va. He was a 1946 graduate of Stonewall Jackson High School in Charleston, attended Boston School of Art, and majored in Journalism at Morris Harvey College in Charleston where he was art editor of the student newspaper and college yearbook; he also drew editorial and sports cartoons for the Charleston Newspapers. He was employed as an artist in the display department of The Diamond and Stone & Thomas department stores in Charleston. In 1946 he was a candidate for the Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, but a cartoonist strike prevented employment. Employed for forty-one years as staff artist at WSAZ-TV in Huntington, he retired in June 1990. As the first artist with WSAZ-TV he originated the first locally-produced cartoon show entitled "Let's Doodle" - a TV program instructing children the basics of art and cartooning. He later appeared on various live studio programs entertaining studio audiences with musical illustrations. His time spent with WSAZ-TV spans a wide assortment of artistic contributions. Some artwork is still being used to this day - such as the Saba created WSAZ-TV company logo which adorns the front of the building as well as the company vehicles and news logos. He also created station logos for radio WKEE and K-97 in Huntington. In 1952 he was baptized and married in the First Christian Church in Charleston. In 1956 he moved to Huntington and became a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Shawkey was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge No. 53 in Huntington and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, a Noble in the Beni Kedem Shrine Temple of Charleston, YMCA Board of Directors member and inducted in 2011 to the WV Broadcasting Hall of Fame in Huntington. Shawkey is survived by his one and only wife of 61 years Lena Bernadine Lowe Saba, Sister Lila Lee Damous of Charleston, and a host of nieces and nephews from Florida, Texas, North and South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 1 at the First Presbyterian Church of Huntington, and officiated by the associate pastor Skip Seibel and Dr. John Minihan. Internment service will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Saba Family plot in Sunset Memorial Park in South Charleston, W.VA. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to First Presbyterian Church Choir Fund, 1015 5th Ave., Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House of Huntington, or the Cancer Society. Family guestbook at www.klingelcarpenter.com.

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

Published by The Herald-Dispatch from Mar. 29 to Mar. 30, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for SHAWKEY SABA

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Richard Friley

November 8, 2020

He had a special liking for my husband Richard who worked with him at WSAZ. We have many pictures he drew of Rich, quite amusing!
What a wonderful guy and so hilarious. Just found this, so sorry about his passing.

Frances Allen

April 2, 2014

Lena, my condolences to you on Shawkey's passing. My husband, Bill, thoroughly enjoyed working w/Shawkey @ WSAZ TV for many years. He was a man of special talent, a wonderful laugh, and a true friend. Heaven will be a lively place with Bill and Shawkey there together. Prayers of comfort and peace to you for your loss. Frances

Jacqueline

March 30, 2014

My sincerest sympathies to the Saba family at this most difficult time. May you be comforted in knowing that God is near to the broken hearted, he saves those who are crushed in spirit.

John Thacker

March 29, 2014

I always marveled at Shawkey's talent. I was alway a fan of his TV show, "Let's Doodle," on WSAZ-TV back in the 50's.

Jim Searls

March 29, 2014

I worked with Shawkey, at WSAZ in the summer of 1964. He was a very gifted artist and together with Bennie Shaffer was the source of humor on the third floor. I remember he had a great fondness for very large green-leaf cigars.
My condolences to the family.

David Brunk

March 29, 2014

Shawkey was one of a kind. One of the first people I met when joining WSAZ in 1968 he remained a friend at First Church of nearly forty years. My sympathy to Lena. And to the saints who from their labors rest...things are going to liven up a bit with Shawkey on the scene.

Charles Harper

March 29, 2014

Shawkey was a gifted artist, who added much to WSAZ-TV's look in the golden days before computer generated graphics. One of the good guys!

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Memorial Events
for SHAWKEY SABA

Apr

1

Funeral service

11:00 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Huntington

WV

Apr

1

Burial

Sunset Memorial Park

South Charleston, WV

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