Hopkinsville said goodbye to a radio legend this morning, when funeral services were held for longtime WHOP News Director Jim Love.

The crowd gathered to remember Love spilled into an “overflow” room and it was hard to see just how far back the procession went as it made the drive from Hughard and Beard Funeral Home to Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West.

WHOP General Manager Mike Chadwell said what all of Hopkinsville and western Kentucky wanted to say when he thanked Jim’s family for the countless hours their father and husband was away from home while bringing listeners the information they needed.

Chadwell also talked about Jim’s love for the Chicago Cubs and told the funny story of when Love mailed a letter to legendary Cubs play-by-play man Harry Caray critiquing his broadcasts, only to receive the letter back with not-so-friendly comments by Caray in the margins.

Christian County Attorney and longtime friend Mike Foster said he and Jim shared a love for the game of golf. He said Jim’s ability to enjoy the day no matter how he played was a lesson to him.

Former WHOP Early Bird Show co-host and longtime friend Ann Petrie remembered Jim’s professionalism in reporting the news over four decades. She said that while his friends and loved ones grieve, they can take solace in the fact his painful battle with cancer is over.

Former WHOP employee Dale Mitchell spoke at the graveside services and said if Jim was your friend once, he’d always be your friend.

The graveside services featured full military honors and the procession was escorted by no fewer than a dozen cruisers from the Hopkinsville Police and Christian County Sheriff’s Department.

Jim is survived by his wife Cheryl, daughters Amy Colley and Jennifer Folz and son Bobby. He was 68-years old.

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12/19/2012/am