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J. Michael Early Sr.

J. Michael Early Sr. obituary

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J. Early Obituary

J. Michael Early, Sr. died on August 26, 2015 in his home. He was 99 years old. Born May 31, 1916 in New Orleans, LA, he graduated from St. Peter and Paul Elementary School, Jesuit High School (Class of 1933), Loyola University (1936) and Loyola University School of Law (1939). He is the father of and survived by Mike Early (Mavis), Robert P. Early (Dottie, dec.), Leah Held (Ronald), Maureen Dehon (Patrick), Thomas B. Early (Chrisie), Brian G. Early (Charlene), Colleen Hoover (Byron), Kevin Marian Early (dec.),Therese Larrabee (Jim), Kathleen Devaughn (Mac), and Patricia Laird (Jim, dec.). He is grandfather of 30 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Judge Thomas A. Early, Jr. and sister, Jacqueline Garic. Preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Leah Mae Cohen; parents, Thomas A. Early, Sr. and Rose M. Parrillo; sisters Claire Rosenmeier, Margaret Durel, Rosemary Ward, & Patsy Sipos; brother, J.D. Early. J. Michael Early practiced Labor Relations law with Charles Logan for 21 years before accepting the position of General Manager of WWL-TV. Mike Early helped build WWL-TV Channel 4 into a broadcasting powerhouse as its president and general manager during an amazing 37 year tenure, a tenure unprecedented in longevity in American television broadcasting history. Though his name and face may not have been known to many in the audience, after nearly four decades at the helm, Mr. Early was widely credited with leading the station to the top position in local news, programming and sales it has held since the 1970s. "When speaking of his beloved Channel 4, he always said it's bigger than one person," said Todd Smith, WWL-TV's current president and general manager. "And that is something he truly believed. He never sought personal recognition, but if you strip away everything, at WWL's foundation you will find one man and one vision --- J. Michael Early." In a 1994 article commenting on his impact, The Times-Picayune surmised: "Channel 4 is Channel 4 because of Early, whose instinctive programming and personnel touch are the stuff of broadcasting legend." Over the years, the newspaper and Mr. Early's colleagues in the local industry commented on what The Times-Picayune called his "loyalty-inspiring leadership, uncanny programming instincts and people skills, and unwavering commitment to local newscasting excellence." WWL has consistently been one of the top-ranked CBS affiliates in the nation, a market leader recognized for its news, sales, programming and community service efforts. In the late 1980s, Mike Early spearheaded the purchase of the television station from Loyola University by a group of employee owners. The formation of that ownership group, known as Rampart Broadcasting, meant station employees became stockholders and owners, something that was unheard of in media circles. In 1994, he oversaw the sale of the station for $110 million to the Belo Corporation. Under Mr. Early's leadership, WWL-TV created the first local 24-hour cable news station, NewsWatch on Channel 15, now available in five metropolitan area parishes. During Mike Early's tenure, WWL won two national Edward R. Murrow Awards for overall excellence, five George Foster Peabody Awards for journalism, two Overseas Press Club awards, two Alfred P. Sloan Awards, and several Emmy awards for local programming, in addition to many local and regional honors. The news directors Mr. Early handpicked to lead the Eyewitness News newsroom during his tenure give him much of the credit. "Four news directors the past 25 years have all been credited with making some pretty good decisions," said former news director Joe Duke in a 1998 article. "What have all four news directors had in common? Mike Early as their general manager." Colleagues say Mr. Early's management and personnel skills, though often no-nonsense, were also legendary. When Mr. Early retired, assistant station manager Phil Johnson commented in an on-air editorial that Mr. Early likely heard more confessions at the Rampart Street studios than the Jesuits did in their church on Baronne Street. "He had such a keen sense of business and such a keen sense of human relations. He had such a knack for recognizing talent and understanding people," said former WWL colleague John Pela. Throughout his career at Channel 4, Mr. Early also built the station into a community force. In recent years, the station's image, reflecting the "Spirit of Louisiana," and its commitment to public service and support for charitable causes and non-profit institutions matched this sense of community. The station was honored by three former U.S. Presidents for its commitment to public service. A former president of the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters, Mr. Early was one of the founders of the Greater New Orleans Broadcasters Association. He was honored and recognized by his peers in the industry many times during his long career. In 1993, he was the first inductee into the GNOBA's New Orleans Broadcasting Hall of Fame. The Press Club of New Orleans awarded him its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. A loyal and generous supporter, both personally and professionally, of St. Michael Special School and the Carmelite nuns, he was also honored as Jesuit High School's Alumnus of the Year in 1990. During World War II he served in the Pacific Theatre as a commissioned officer/medic in the U.S. Maritime Service. Visitation will be held from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at Our Lady of the Rosary Church 3368 Esplanade Ave. New Orleans, LA. A Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration will be offered at 11:00 a.m. also at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 3368 Esplanade Ave. New Orleans, LA, Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. Celebrant. Inexpressible thanks for their genuine love, care and comfort-giving to our father to Janice Coleman, Valencia Coleman, Barbara Martin, Pearl Wyman & Kate Wordsworth. They have been very special members of our family for the past 8 years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael's Special School, Jesuit High School or the Discalced Carmelite Nuns, 73530 River Road, Covington, LA 70435-2206. Family and friends may view and sign the online guestbook at www.lakelawnmetairie.com. Burial will be private.

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

Published by The New Orleans Advocate from Aug. 29 to Sep. 1, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for J. Early

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6 Entries

Harriet Mele

September 7, 2015

How blessed your family was to have had your father for so many years. God had great plans for him. My prayers go out to you and your family.

Suzanne Galjour

September 1, 2015

Mr. Early was such a wonderful man. Our families go back to the 1960's. He was a total gentleman and he knew what the word "family" meant. Prayers go out to the Early family for their loss.

Forever Bright flowers for Mr. Early.

Bhavna Mistry

September 1, 2015

We loved living next door to Mr. Early. He was a kind, funny and open hearted man. I will miss planting flowers for him because he loved looking at happy bright flowers in the yard. Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole family.

Bhavna & Daniel

Kenneth Loria

September 1, 2015

To the entire Early Family:
Your dad's legacy is seen in the caring individuals he helped carve in his entire family. You have all been there whenever anyone needed a hand, a shoulder, or a heart. Uncle Mike is no longer broken. He is happy at home with Aunt Leah. Love to all of you!
Kenny Loria

Joseph Duke

August 31, 2015

It was an honor to work for Mike Early. His devotion to and love for New Orleans defined WWL-TV. He believed broadcasting was more than a business--it was public service. Mr. Early made sure that each of us understood our role and matched his commitment to the city and to the area. I was one of his news directors. He wanted his news departments to be tough but fair, and he had the courage to face the criticism that often comes with that. I always knew Mr. Early had my back.
It's well known that he had an famous eye for on-air talent. Phil Johnson, Angela Hill, Garland Robinette, Hoda Kotb, Sally-Ann Roberts, Eric Paulsen, Andre Trevigne, Jim Henderson, Mike Hoss, Karen Swenson, Frank Davis, Norman Robinson, Meg Farris, Bill Capo, Dave McNamara, John Snell and many others prove that point. But he had an also had an eye for character and characters, people behind the camera with a dedication that matched his, people like Sandy Breland, a former WWL News Director now VP for Raycom Broadcasting, and Tod Smith, who now sits in the same GM's chair Mr. Early occupied for so many years. The legacy continues in New Orleans because Mr. Early chose the right people to teach. And he taught them well.
We'll not see his like in broadcasting again. It's a different business now, run by large companies with many television stations in many communities, their loyalties divided. But once it was all local, and J. Michael Early was a giant. They don't make 'em like that anymore.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the members of the Early family as they mourn his passing, but how lucky were we all? Those of us privileged enough to work with him are thankful we had the opportunity. We are his other family. We say, "Good-bye, Mr. Early," but we also say, "Thanks, Mike."

Joe Duke

Ronald Carbone

August 29, 2015

To the EARLY family our deepest condolences on the passing of "Big Daddy". He was a very special person. Always made us feel special when we would meet him. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family. RIP
Rose and Ronald Carbonr

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