Obituary of John R. Di Meo

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday May 27, 2008 Masonic Center 455 North St SE Tumwater John R. Di Meo, Sr. John R. Di Meo Sr. passed away May 24th, 2008 after a lengthy illness. John died at home surrounded by the warmth and love of his family. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, John was born May 18, 1927 to Sarah and Camillo Di Meo and graduated from Puyallup High School in May 1945. He enlisted in Army and upon receiving his discharge, enrolled in Washington State University majoring in Speech and Communications. John began his broadcasting career as a newscaster-sportscaster at KPUG, Bellingham. He became General Manager at KPUG in 1960 and was transferred to KAYO, Seattle, where he remained for twenty years. While at KAYO, John and his wife Catherine became owners and operators of KXLE-AM-FM, Ellensburg, KENE, Yakima, KOHI, St. Helens, Oregon, KBKW-AM, Aberdeen, KJRD-FM and KTOL, Olympia, WA. John served several terms on the board of the Washington State Broadcasters Association and later as chairman. He was also elected to the Bellingham City Council, later serving as council president. He was a member of the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club board, Wing Point Golf and Country Club, Olympia Golf and Country Club and a long time member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Catherine, daughters Monica, Margaret and her husband Mike and their children Michelle, Christiana and James, son John Jr. and his wife Julie and their children Justyn, Elizabeth Ann and John III, and one great grandchild, Kaylee. John had a great love of sports and held season tickets for the Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sonics. He was an avid golfer and coached boy’s baseball for many years. John cherished his long time friends dating back to grade school in Puyallup.