Legendary broadcaster Chuck Leonard has died his wife Carole Mashburn announced on social media last night. “Just 6 short years ago, Chuck delivered his last newscast. Tonight, just hours ago, he delivered his final farewell. We are heartbroken but rejoicing that he’s going to have the best Christmas ever.” Mashburn wrote.
Chuck Leonard whose real name is Charles Mashburn should have never made it out of his teens according to his wife who recounted how Chuck lost his leg in a farming accident in rural Alabama. He went on to begin a career in broadcasting doing radio in Enterprise, Alabama. He started working for WTVM in Columbus in 1981.
Generations of viewers grew up waking up with Chuck Leonard as the morning anchor for the local ABC affiliate. Leonard spent nearly four decades at the station beginning with a noontime show “Good Day”. He also hosted a high school quiz program “Head to Head”. The city proclaimed December 20, 2019, as Chuck Leonard Day. That’s the day he retired after 38 years on air at WTVM.
Leonard was taken last week by ambulance from Columbus to Emory Hospital to await a liver transplant. “Today we learned that Chuck is not a candidate for a liver transplant. Due to his kidney failure, diabetes, and heart disease, he is much too sick,” Carole Mashburn wrote on Facebook. He was then transferred to the Columbus Hospice house where he died.
A memorial service will take place in January. His wife requested continued prayers for their two children. “Please continue to pray for Ann E and Michael as we navigate these holidays.” Mashburn wrote.
