I never knew Charlie Jones, the Sportscaster who died this past week in Southern California, but former Channel 8 sportscaster Verne Lundquist did. Jones had a connection here at WFAA TV that few remember. He was the sports director at WFAA TV from 1960 until 1965.

During that time he also contributed to ABC's "Wide World of Sports" before switching to NBC in 1965 when they picked up the AFL contract. Jones had experience with the old AFL, since he called the games for Lamar Hunt's Dallas Texans starting in 1960.
The Texans played their home games in the Cotton Bowl and shared the stadium with the Dallas Cowboys. Hunt eventually moved the Texans to Kansas City where they became the Chiefs. The first game Jones called featured the Texans and the Los Angeles Chargers at LA Coliseum.

Lundquist told me he first met Jones at the Texas Relays in 1964, Jones was calling the sprint races, while Lundquist called the shot putt and discus events. At the time, Frank Fallon was doing the relays.

Jones got to be the Sports Director here at Channel 8 before Lundquist did. Dave Lane followed Jones in that position as well, but Lundquist wasn't far behind.

Those were the days.

Read obituary.

1 Comments

Lou Mendez said:

...I just saw this notice today(06/17)...I was in high school when Mr Jones worked here in Dallas. He was a pioneer in the sports broadcasting of the two pro football leagues back in the 60's from what I remember. Another little bit of history from the childhood of guys my age is gone with Charlie Jones' passing....

June 17, 2008 4:09 PM

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