George B. Storer Jr.

STORER, GEORGE B., JR., Airline, Cable, Broadcasting Executive, passed away on July 7, 2007. Born on November 14, 1925 in Toledo, Ohio, he was the first son of George B. Storer and Mary Dun Perley Storer. He attended the Tome School in Maryland, and graduated from the Fountain Valley School, Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1943. During World War II, Storer served in the Navy V-12 program and attended the University of Colorado majoring in Electrical Engineering. In the early days of television in 1946, he joined his father at the Storer Broadcasting Company that rapidly became the nation's largest owner and operator of radio and television stations. After managing stations in Atlanta, Georgia, and San Antonio, Texas, he moved to Miami in 1954 as Vice President of the Television Division. In 1961, he was appointed the company President and led the company into the beginnings of cable television. In 1965, the company purchased Northeast Airlines from Howard Hughes. Storer became Vice Chairman of the broadcasting company and moved to Boston to serve as the airline's Chairman of the Board. At Northeast, his creative mind led to the design of the distinctive Yellowbird paint job and marketing campaign, secured the long-contested FAA authority to fly from the northeast to south Florida and brought the company to a brief period of profitability before it merged with Delta. Moving to California, Storer founded Storer Yacht, modifying and selling ocean-racing yachts for the conditions of sailing in Southern California. He joined the Hughes Aircraft Company, where he invented the first cable trap blocking the theft of cable service and developed the "Z" Channel on Theta Cable, the first pay- TV system on the west coast. In 1976, he returned to Miami where he developed and advised various companies in videotape production, food and beverage club operations, computer applications, and voice mail systems. An avid sportsman and hobbyist throughout his life, Storer enjoyed and excelled in playing bridge, radio control flying, sailboat ocean racing, fly fishing, hunting, deep sea fishing, sports car rallying, and snow skiing. A former member of the Orange Bowl Committee, he had also been a member of numerous clubs including the Surf Club in Surfside, the Old Baldy Club in Saratoga, Wyoming, the Wings Club of New York, the Past Shooters Club of the One-Shot Antelope Hunt, the Palm Bay Club in Miami, and the California Yacht Club in Marina Del Ray, California. Described as having a computer mind to match the calculator in his pocket, he will be remembered for his creative mind, sense of humor and endless spirit. His zest for life will remain in the hearts of his loving family and many friends. Storer is survived by his loving wife Violet Dunker Storer; two sons George B. "Hap" Storer, III (son of Joan Stanton Storer) and his wife Teresa, and David Dun Storer (son of Barbara Storer Rubin) and his companion Devon Reidy; brothers James P. Storer (Dede), Peter Storer (Ginny), and Robert M. Storer (Marie); four grandchildren Paul G. Storer, Jacqueline J. "J.J." Storer, ENS Gregory B. Storer, USN, and Jason David Allen Storer; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 11:00 AM at All Souls' Episcopal Church, 4025 Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach, Florida, 305-538-2244.The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, 200 South Park Road, #100, Hollywood, Florida 33021. Donors should include the name of the deceased, George Storer, their name and address, and that they want the funds earmarked for Dr. Jay Skyler's work. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.