Cincinnati radio legend Jim Scott has died following a tough battle against ALS, his longtime wife and partner Donna Scott announced in a post shared via his Facebook page.
Scott started his radio career in 1968, progressing through the years to become a radio mainstay.
His death has thrown his family, friends and fans alike into mourning as they remember the dynamo for his decades of excellence.
Jim Scott Cincinnati Radio Legend Death, Wife, Career
Jim Scott was a 30-year veteran of 700 WLW, a Cincinnati radio legend who became synonymous with excellence, poise, and class.
Scott started his career in 1968 and worked his entire career in Cincinnati radio.
He started out at the rock station 1360 WSAI where he spent several years, playing pop hits in the morning. He then spent 30 unforgettable years as the voice of 700 WLW.
For over 50 years, Scott marched in the Cincinnati Reds Opening parade. His self-described ‘favorite day of the year’, the Reds honored him in December 2023 when he was named the honorary grand marshal of the annual event.
After a stellar career, Jim Scott announced his retirement in 2015.
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“Jim was the first voice you heard during the wintertime for school closings. If you’re in your late 20s, 30s, 40s you listened to Jim to see if school was going to be closed in Cincinnati,” Frank Marzullo of Fox 19 said of the radio legend.
He has been described as the best radio show host the city of Cincinnati has ever seen, which was pretty accurate considering his show was No. 1 in the Cincinnati morning radio ratings every decade from the 1970s until retirement.
During his time on the radio, he not only promoted but lent his support to worthy causes such as the Salvation Army’s Christmas Red Kettle campaign, the Hoxworth Blood Center, and the March of Dimes
Scott was diagnosed with ALS, often known as Lou Gerhrig’s Disease, in Spring 2022. His doctors made the discovery after he began feeling weakness in his arm and leg. Scott suffered from Polio as a child and was weakened in those same limbs during his childhood.
After a two-year battle with the disease, Scott finally passed away on Friday, June 28th, 2024.
The wife of the Cincinnati radio legend, Jim Scott, Donna, announced his passing.
“Last night, our sweet Jim crossed over and is in the loving, welcoming embrace of his mom and dad, mine, his sister and so many friends…The grace with which he met and endured the indignities of ALS was astounding and inspiring. So very Jim. With his graciousness and thoughtfulness and gratitude, he continued to spark joy in everyone he met,” she said.
Donna continued: “Jim was the real deal, and I loved standing back and watching him meet people, talk with them and making others feel good about themselves. Jim’s core motto and belief was, “Everyone deserves recognition,” and he lived it every day. He always used his person and celebrity to do good and to make others feel special,”
She announced that a funeral would not be held for Jim but instead, a celebration of life, to keep in line with Scott’s cheerfulness throughout his life.
The Reds, meanwhile, shared a tribute following Scott’s passing.
Jim Scott Cincinnati Wife
Jim Scott married former Enquirer reporter Donna Hartmann in 2001.
The couple in Jim’s latter years lived on a 132-acre farm near Lawrenceburg that Scott had purchased in 1977.
Despite his move to Indiana, Scott would always remain the voice of Cincinnati.
His death, however, tragic, is simply a chance for his celebrated life to be honored and his legacy of graciousness and class to be highlighted.
May he rest in peace.