Rod Stephen, 86, on July 7. Stephen began his broadcast career in his hometown of Yorkton, SK at CJGZ in 1954. He went on to hold roles with CKRD Red Deer and CHED Edmonton, before returning to CKRD and eventually assuming the position of General Manager for the AM, FM and television stations. In 1972, he was awarded a licence to start CKGY-AM Red Deer, the city’s second radio station which had immediate success with its country format. He went on to become an original partner in CISN Edmonton and develop CIZZ-FM (Z99) Red Deer. Stephen’s stations were eventually acquired by Shaw Radio, which he served as president of and was subsequently appointed to the Board of Directors of Shaw Cable. He retired in 1989. Stephen also served as a director with the Radio Bureau of Canada and the Alberta Association of Broadcasters.
Ken Davis, 90, on July 4 of complications related to cancer. Davis is best known as one of the owners of CKOK and CKMG Penticton, part of Okanagan Radio, from 1974 until 1990, which also included CKSP Summerland, CKGF in Grand Forks, CKOO in Oliver-Osoyoos and stations in Princeton and Yellowknife. Davis, alongside Gerald Pash and Dennis Barkman, acquired Okanagan Radio from Fraser Valley Broadcasters in Sept. 1974 with Davis named President. In 1988, Okanagan Skeena Group acquired the interest of Barkman and Pash, and later Davis’ shares in 1990. Following his career in broadcasting, Davis went on to become the owner and captain of the Casabella Princess paddle wheeler and Okanagan Boat Charters. In the mid-1980s, he also served one term on Penticton City Council.
Jill St. Louis, 66, on June 21 after a battle with metastatic lung cancer. A former Vancouver bureau chief at The Canadian Press, St. Louis was first hired in 1975 as an editorial assistant. She retired from CP in 2009.
