Retired and Former Employees of KPRC-TV

Former Channel 2 Emmy Award winning Chief Photographer Bob Brandon passed away on Friday, December 11th in New York after a long struggle and wait for a kidney transplant.  He was visiting his daughter, having traveled from his home in Denver.

Bob joined KRPC-TV in 1970 and during his nine year here won 30 awards including  the Ernie Crisp Television News Photographer of the Year title. On leaving Channel Two he began freelancing and has done so ever since, working for all major TV networks. A complete story can be read at the KDVR – Denver website.

Friends said Brandon would be cremated in New York, and at a later date a memorial service will be held in Denver.

From Joe Campos and Lyn Salerno —

Another great one has passed… Elizabeth Burkhart, wife of director Jon Burkhart traveled to her next posting on July 23rd. A Marine  and the first Hispanic Director of the Federal Director of Credit Unions she will be remembered at Arlington National Cemetery… Semper Fi.

For all of the friends of Jon and Elizabeth Burkhart, Pat Schwab and I talked to Jon this Morning… We laughed a little, cried a little, but mostly  marveled at all the things Elizabeth had accomplished. From a family of 13 brothers and sisters growing up poor in the valley to life in Washington as a member of Ronald Reagan’s presidency… what a Great Lady!

A celebration of her life is planned in Houston down the road.

Katie Estes passed away at her home June 18, 2009. Katie retired from Channel Two after 40 years in advertising sales. According to the Houston Chronicle Obituary, her favorite ‘duty’ at KPRC-TV “had to be her role as the ‘friendly bookie’ running the football pot (never on credit!) for many years”.

Katie was an animal lover,including her rescue Scottish Terrier. Because of this, memorials, if desired, be directed to The Texas Scottie Rescue Fund 501©3, 5810 Windvale Drive, San Antonio, TX 78239, a favorite pet related charity, or to your charity

Gary James, reporter and producer of the long running Eyes of Texas program, passed away April 8, 2009 in Richmond, Texas. He began working at Channel Two in 1961 and retired in 1999. In 1974 Gary won a Peabody Award for his work on the documentary, The Right Man.  Since retirement he produced many video’s and wrote the popular book “The Texas Guide” still available in book stores today.

A memorial service for Gary was held  April 14, 2009 in the Chapel of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg. Memorials in Gary’s name may be made to the Chronic Disease Fund Attention: Resource Development, 10880 John W. Elliott Drive, Suite 400, Frisco, Texas 75034, (866) 619-5651.

John (Jack) Long, Channel Two reporter and photographer from 1964 to 1973, died last Friday, April 3rd. Among Long’s work for Channel 2 was an award-winning hourlong documentary on racial injustice in the Third Ward. After leaving Channel Two he began a second career, which he considered his most important legacy, as a substance abuse counselor with Texas prison inmates.

Long also is survived by his wife, Patricia, two daughters, Michelle Bennack of Houston and Julia Long of Dallas, one son, Mark Long, of Seattle and six grandchildren.