Friends and colleagues from around the country are remembering Jim Love following his passing—all with the respect and fondness he earned during his life.

WHOP General Manager Mike Chadwell says Jim was one of the most important personalities in the station’s history that goes back over 70 years and that includes the likes of the Colonel Dink Embry.

Official local historian William Turner expressed his grief at the loss of a long-time friend and said Jim made a historic impact on Hopkinsville and Christian County.

Christian County Judge-Executive Steve Tribble was close friends with Love going back to their time together as students at Murray State University and said Jim was one of the more knowledgeable people you could ever meet.

State Senator Joey Pendleton talked about Jim’s reputation as a journalist—one of the best reporters in Kentucky.

State Representative Myron Dossett echoed those thoughts.

Representative John Tilley spoke on Jim’s always-optimistic personality—something he had to have to be such a loyal Chicago Cubs fan.

Love got behind causes he had a passion for, such as the local Challenge House projects. Former Mayor Wally Bryan says Jim’s efforts never went unnoticed and that Jim’s last name fit him well.

Jim taught dozens of up and coming reporters over the last four decades at WHOP—many who went on to have successful careers after time in Hopkinsville. One such reporter is Mary Perren who left WHOP for a job in Nashville and who now writes for the Pulaski County Journal and Independent in Indiana.

Ms. Perren says Jim taught her how to truly be a journalist when she was just out of college.

Jim also spent countless hours coaching current WHOP News Director Adam May for the job. May began working at WHOP as a part-time board operator as a teenager in the late 1990’s and relayed one story about Jim from those days he will never forget.

These stories are by no means exclusive to the people quoted, as hundreds and perhaps thousands more could have been contacted to give similar accounts. We will have more testimonies about Jim’s tenure at WHOP on our news in the coming days and weeks.

                                                **
12/ 16  /2012/am