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Tom M. Matthews
Tom M. Matthews moved to Florida with his family in the early 1920's, living first near Auburndale, and later settling in Lakeland. His career began at the age of 17 as a newspaper editor in Avon Park.
The Ozark, AL native joined Lakeland’s WLAK as an announcer and news editor in 1938, and was also its program director for a time. In 1941, he left for WFLA in Tampa and held a variety of positions there, both on and off the air. He also wrote for the Tampa Tribune and did some independent producing work.
In 1942, he was inducted into the Army, but an accident during basic training cut short his military career and he returned to WFLA. When Channel 8 WFLA-TV signed on the air in 1955, he became manager of the promotions and advertising department and held that position until hired as assistant director of the Stephen Foster Memorial and Folk Park in White Springs, FL in 1964.
Tom was only 54 when he passed away in 1967.
Station History
1941 - 1964 Other Tampa Bay Area Stations (News)
1941 - 1964 Other Tampa Bay Area Stations (Promotions)
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