News 9 Celebrates Gary England's Long, Successful Career

After more than 40 years as Oklahoma's top-rated television meteorologist, Gary England is moving into a new role at News 9; so we're celebrating this meteorological legend and weather pioneer.

Gary will make his last daily forecast during the 10 p.m. newscast Wednesday; then he'll move to his new role as Vice President of Corporate Relations and Weather Development. In November, he'll be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

Gary has saved countless lives with his calm reassurances and advice during Oklahoma's severe weather seasons. He's also educated Oklahomans about the fascinating facets of our weather, and mentored numerous young meteorologists hoping to follow in his footsteps.

Throughout Wednesday, News 9 will be celebrating Gary's unparalleled career by taking a look back at just a few of his most memorable moments. The videos will be posted above this story.

Don't miss Gary's final forecast tonight on News 9 at 10:00 p.m.  We will also be live streaming the entire newscast on www.News9.com.

Give Gary your best wishes by visiting his Oklahoma Hall of Fame induction page.  We have made it easy for you to leave a comment.  

Here's how his colleagues will remember him:

News 9 Anchor Amanda Taylor: "Gary has this ability to make everyone smile and put you at ease. On my first day anchoring, my nerves were high. Right before I was to go on air, Gary takes his foot and pushes my chair about halfway across the studio. I look at him and he's just smiling so big! All of a sudden, I wasn't nervous anymore.

That's just one of the many things I love about Gary."

News 9 Meteorologist Jed Castles: "One of my early memories with Gary reminds me of his high expectation of his staff. He told me soon after I first started, "I don't hand out compliments very often so don't expect them. I hired you to do well so I expect you to be excellent."

I was a bit shocked and honored by that statement.

I did receive a big compliment from Gary after the coverage of the Christmas Eve blizzard of 2009. I was equally shocked and honored by that gesture.

This man has been instrumental in developing my performance, skill and excellence at News 9 and for my future endeavors! For that I say, thank you, Gary!"

News 9 Meteorologist Nick Bender: "When Gary first hired me from Amarillo, it was over the phone. He said, "Welcome aboard Verne!" I thought he had the wrong guy; I was up all night. I didn't learn until later he calls everyone Verne."

Alex Cameron, News 9 Investigates: "There have been times during my increasingly lengthy broadcast career that I've questioned the continued relevance of local news. Without question, the best anti-dote to those thoughts has been seeing Gary do the weather. For more than four decades – and to this day! – Oklahomans have looked to him for guidance when the weather poses a threat (which is, seemingly, all the time!). Gary England's commitment to meteorology and to this community has served to inspire me on more occasions than I can remember." 

Susan Ghere, News Weather Department Business Manager: "As a boss and a friend he is unparalleled – he wrote the definitive book on loyalty."

News 9 Meteorologist Lacey Swope: "Gary took a chance on an awkward lanky girl from a small town in Oklahoma, and gave me a dream internship in 2009. In college, I just hoped to one day meet him; never actually thought I would work for him. Gary worked with me on the weather wall, at times standing behind the camera and having me tell him the forecast. Talk about nerves! I had never been more nervous in my life than giving a forecast in front of the man I look up to the most. At the same time, I had never been more grateful. He has never missed an opportunity to share his endless knowledge with anyone who asked, and when something goes wrong, he's there to tell a "Gary joke", or share one of his hilarious stories.

In 2011, Gary took another chance on me and hired me full-time to be a real life member of his team, and you know the rest! I am one of countless new meteorologists who have had the honor to work with him and learn from him. For that, I am forever grateful!

My entire generation has never lived in a world without Gary England telling us what the weather is about to do. Today is truly the end of an era, yet the beginning of a new chapter.

Please join me in celebrating Gary's 40+ years with News 9, and congratulating him on his new VP title!"

News 9 Meteorologist Michael Armstrong: "Gary, it was a pleasure and an honor to work with you serving fellow Oklahomans. All the best and God bless!"

News 9 Meteorologist Matt Mahler: "Gary is the epitome of calm, cool, and collected in the face of dangerous, chaotic weather."

Tammy Payne, News 9 This Morning Anchor: "Most people don't see covering a hurricane an opportunity. My Channel 9 photographer and I did. In Florida, we were literally in the eye of the storm. Being guided by Gary was the reassurance we needed to weather the storm. Thank you, Gary."

Robin Marsh, News 9 At Four Anchor: "Gary knows when to be serious, but he also knows how to have some big fun at work.

One summer day when I was anchoring the 5pm news with Kelly and Gary, Gary thought he would pull a big "HAHA" on me and Kelly. Little did Kelly and I know that Mr. England had placed a little "gassy" sound effects machine under the news desk.

While Gary was on the air giving his forecast, he was also pushing the remote to make the "noise" come from under the anchor desk. The first time I heard it, I pretended that I did not hear anything. But then, it happened again. I look at Kelly Ogle and am thinking, "Does he have a problem over here?" Kelly was still clueless and had not heard anything.

Then it happened again... but much louder this time. Kelly is looking at me, and I am looking at him, and we both are about mortified thinking the worst about each other. We then hear Gary start laughing while he is still doing his weather show... and we realize what is going on.

Kelly and I could barely contain ourselves we were laughing sooo hard. By the time Gary made it back to the anchor desk to wrap up his forecast, we were all in tears laughing. We could not even say "we'll be right back." The director had to just go to a commercial break.

Gary always made it fun. I will really miss him."