The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
LOCAL TV, RADIO BROADCASTER DIES AT 84
WSB-TV newscaster, WPCH-FM host also enjoyed acting.
Don Stewart, a broadcaster on WSB-TV and host on Peach 94.9, has passed at age 84.
He died over the weekend, but the cause is not clear. His daughter Sheri Mann Stewart said it was likely from complications regarding diabetes.
A Michigan native, he moved to Atlanta after graduating college at Michigan State University. He was a newscaster at WSB-TV from 1956 to 1966. His marriage with Connie Ward Stewart was televised on the news in 1958.
He later became an announcer at beautiful music station WPCH-FM from 1979 to 1991, part of it during mornings. He also did some acting work, including in Long John Silver’s commercials. “He was a night owl,” she said. “It fit his lifestyle.”
Stewart had an impressive memory, Sheri Mann said. For years, he held seminars teaching people how to improve their memories. He offered his techniques to major politicians and business people, she said.
Steve Goss, who worked with him at Peach and considered him a mentor, said he was an incredibly social guy. “He loved to emcee events,” he said. “He was a very funny guy, very clever at putting together puns and one-liners. He was a born entertainer.”
He became a band leader and continued until recent weeks to perform regularly at the piano bar at McKinnon’s and other Atlanta piano bars, entertaining his loyal fans and friends. “He had a beautiful crooner type of voice,” his daughter Sheri Mann said. “He had a huge repertoire of songs.”
Daria Willson, a friend of Stewart’s, called him the “bravest” person she knew. He had been legally blind for Former co-worker at WPCH-FM 10 years and lost a leg due to amputation.
Yet, she said, he would go out every week and perform, no matter what. She said he met many famous people but seldom provided details.
“He didn’t have to brag,” Willson said. “He was too busy living life.”
He was also an active member of MENSA. Willson said for 10 years, she would call Stewart late at night every week or so and they’d play a word association game. “Keep our brains sharp,” she said.
She said he was of sound mind — if not body — until his death.
He is survived by his ex-wife, Connie, his beloved grandsons Tendal and Royce Mann, daughter, Sheri Mann Stewart, and son-in-law, Barry Stewart Mann, all of Atlanta; and his brother, Bob Stewart, of Salt Lake City.