Valley broadcasting legend and KMJ's farm editor Roy Isom passed away Thursday night after a short illness.

He was sharp and savvy, he could tell you stories about stories he'd covered years ago like they'd happened only yesterday. He was a good hearted, and good natured newsman who came to KMJ in 1981 after a long stint in television news, including KFSN ch. 30.

A hustler who, despite having a hip replacement, would practically sprint out of the studio to get to a story. He would could paint a mental picture for the listener when at the scene of a breaking news event...even though he arrived to work around 1 a.m. he'd refuse to be pulled off a story until that story was told and told well.

Roy covered some of the most important stories this valley has ever seen, including the deadly 100 car fog related pileup and of course the dire water crisis facing our farmers today...many others, too countless to name.

He was named the California Farm Bureau Agriculture reporter of the year in '94. He served his country in Korea, drove a school bus for a time, and was an active member of the freemasons.

Services for Roy are pending.

Roy Isom was 72 years old.

Click here to read Roy's biography on the KMJ 580 website.

Make a Donation to the Roy Isom Scholarship Fund
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