// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho sold seas to Nelson? Sears.
Nelson Sears (1926–2021) was an American television broadcaster. He reported news and weather for the television station WGAL in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Later on, he became a program manager.
Early life
[edit]Sears was born in 1926.[1] According to Sears, he was raised in York, Pennsylvania.[2] His father died when Sears was five years old, and Sears was raised by his blind mother.[2] In 1943, aged 17, he joined the United States Navy during World War II.[2] He participated in the Normandy landings but never landed because a mine struck his boat.[2] Later, he served in the Pacific Ocean and participated in the Battle of Okinawa.[2]
Career
[edit]After being discharged in 1947, Sears studied at the American Television Institute in Chicago. He joined WGAL in January 1949,[3] two months before the television station first went on the air.[3][2] He worked as a news anchor, weather reporter, reporter, program director, and promotions manager.[4][1] Sears was promoted to program manager in 1966 and remained a full-time anchor until about 1977.[3] He returned to the air for large events such as the Three Mile Island accident in 1979.[3] The Intelligencer Journal says Sears brought The Oak Ridge Boys to mainstream appeal when he sent a tape to Mike Douglas.[2]
Sears retired from WGAL in 1994 after 45 years.[3] He returned to WGAL in March 2009 for its 60 year anniversary special.[5] In December 2016, Sears was inducted into the WGAL Hall of Fame.[6]
Personal life and death
[edit]Sears had a wife named Sara. He had two sons, Randall and Russell. As of 1994 he had two granddaughters.[3]
Sears was a chairman of the board of directors of the American Red Cross, Lancaster County Chapter.[7] Sears was a chair of the Urban League of Lancaster County.[8] He was a trustee of Millersville University.[9]
Sears died in December 2021, at the age of 95.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "WGAL pioneer Nelson Sears passes away". WGAL. Dec 5, 2021. 7 December 2021. Retrieved Dec 7, 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Flannery, Thomas L. (1994-05-20). "Sears' television career began at the beginning". Intelligencer Journal. p. B-8. Retrieved 2026-02-06 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wohlson, Marcus R. (1994-06-30). "Retiring WGAL program manager saw station grow from 1st days". Lancaster New Era. pp. B1, B2. Retrieved 13 March 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Lancaster That Was: In 1994 newsman Nelson Sears retires after 45 years with WGAL". LancasterOnline. 30 June 2019. Retrieved Jun 30, 2019.
- ↑ Stark, Eric (15 March 2009). "WGAL celebrates 60 years of broadcasting with TV special". LancasterOnline. Mar 15, 2009. Retrieved Sep 11, 2013.
- ↑ Lemon, Kim (16 December 2016). "'WGAL Hall of Fame unveiled, honors founders of the station". WGAL. Dec 16, 2016. Retrieved Dec 16, 2016.
- ↑ "Nelson Sears Gets Post: Board Chairman Elected by Red Cross". Lancaster New Era. 1975-05-20. p. 30. Retrieved 2026-02-07 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Little, Barbara (1995-06-14). "Urban League honors 2 local men". Intelligencer Journal. pp. B-1, B-2. Retrieved 2026-02-07 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ O'Connor, David (1999-01-20). "'Binge drinking' panel says task difficult, not impossible". Lancaster New Era. pp. B-1, B-7. Retrieved 2026-02-07 – via Newspapers.com.