Credit: Brad Gregg

After more than 40 years on KWTV Channel 9, the longtime meteorologist will trade in his Doppler for a spiffy corporate role with Griffin Communications, the station’s parent company.

England’s final broadcast on Aug. 30 will be a Friday (night in the big town) for the ages.

“The impact that he has had on Oklahoma and the field of meteorology is unparalleled,” said David Griffin, the company’ president and CEO. “When you see television weather across America, you are seeing the results of Gary’s work.”

Truthfully, Chicken-Fried News is having a hard time wrapping our collective head around the prospect of a Gary-less storm season. We guess we’re still in the first stage of grief.

Taking
over broadcast duties at KWTV will be David Payne, who is famous around
these here parts for his breathless, over-the-top warnings while storm
chasing, usually delivered in a manic pitch that registers somewhere
between horrified and orgasmic.

New drinking game rule: Take a drink every time David “Tornado on the Ground” Payne scares the bejesus outta you.

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