Jerry London

Jerry London, colourful radio announcer whose KCMJ morning show woke the desert for over 20 years, died June 10, 2010 of complications from emphysema. He was 78. As the voice of the Bob Hope Classic and Gene Autry's first Angels' baseball team announcer, London had many opportunities to leave the area. But his love for Palm Springs always kept him here. Through the years Jerry London interviewed many of the world's most influential figures - from Ted Kennedy to Gene Tunney to Frank Sinatra to Lena Horne -and he did it all as a local resident. Born in Chicago, Ill. to Lillian and Jack London (owner of celebrity hang out Jack London's restaurant in Palm Springs - where Sinatra or Tony Orlando could grab the mic on any given night), Jerry grew up in Chicago and Oakland and Los Angeles, Calif. graduating Fairfax High School class of 1949. Two weeks after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in the Far East during the Korean War. Discharged as a radar specialist, London became a radio announcer on the GI Bill. Jerry married Florence Stern and moved to Palm Springs in 1957. Florence London was a successful realtor and the Londons were involved in many Palm Springs organizations and charities. After retiring from radio, Jerry had his own advertising agency, his own weekly news-paper, and was contract manager for Indian bingo casinos in Arizona and California. Jerry and Flo London were lucky to travel extensively before her death in 1994. Jerry London is survived by his four children, actress Lisa London of Los Angeles, Calif. (married to landscape architect Barry Sattels), realtor Mona London of Newport Beach, Calif., Lari London and only granddaughter Arianna London Kacoon of Florham Park, N.J., and businessman Mark London (married to Sandra Kiss London) of Brookline, Mass.; his sister, realtor Myrna Chariton (married to Bud Chariton) of Palm Springs; his nephew and niece, Scott and Susey Chariton of Palm Springs and Los Angeles; and his partner since 1996, Marci Forayter.