Dee O Coe

Dee O. Coe was a prominent figure in the radio industry, best known as the founder and president of WWCA, a radio station in Gary, Indiana. He established and operated WWCA from studios that previously housed WIND before its move to Chicago, and also owned WLOI in LaPorte, Indiana, along with other stations throughout the state.

Coe's leadership at WWCA was instrumental in shaping the station's success. Under his ownership, WWCA operated from the fourth floor of the First Federal Saving and Loan Association building at 545 Broadway in Gary. The station's transmitter was located in a then-rural area south of the Gary city limits, near 49th Avenue and Chase Street.

During Coe's tenure, WWCA featured notable personalities and programs that contributed to its popularity.

The mid-day "Sound-Off" program, hosted by Ted Thorne, had a large following. In the evenings, R&B music disc jockey Jesse Coopwood's show became one of the highest-rated in the Chicago area during the 1970s.

Coe's management style involved surrounding himself with key personnel who helped drive the station's success. This included general manager Joseph Haas, news & program director Ted Thorne, and Sales Manager Al Evans.

Tragically, Coe's career was cut short when he developed leukemia in the mid-1980s. He had already put the station on the sale block before his death.

Following the passing of general manager Joe Haas from the same disease, Coe named Haas' secretary, Sylvia Burns, as General Manager, a position she maintained until new owners took over.

His son, Kenneth Coe, spent his career broadcasting in La Porte, IN. He is also in the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame.

Coe's legacy in the radio industry extends beyond the WWCA. His ownership of multiple stations throughout Indiana demonstrates his significant influence on the state's broadcasting landscape. His impact on the WWCA and his role in shaping local radio in Indiana remain noteworthy achievements in his career.

December 2024