Ken Middleton, General Manager of WHAS11 from 1997 to 2000, passed away on April 21, 2020. As GM, he also served as Chair of the WHAS Crusade for Children Board of Directors. May he rest in peace.
More on his life and accomplishments are noted in his obituary as published in the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Kenneth Norwood Middleton
Louisville – On April 21, 2020, Kenneth Norwood Middleton suddenly died at his home in Louisville, Kentucky. Born and raised in Roanoke, Virginia, he was preceded in death by his parents, Norwood Cronk Middleton (2/1/2004) and Lucille Hood Middleton (9/11/2008). Ken is survived by his wife, Sarah Lewis Middleton, two stepchildren, Brian Wesley Lewis and Margaret Elizabeth Lewis, and his brother, David Lynn Middleton (Deborah Simmons Middleton).
In Ken’s youth, he was an Eagle Scout with two Palms and started a newspaper at his high school. He graduated with his B.A. from University of Virginia. He earned an M.A. in Communications from American University, where he was awarded a full fellowship. He was awarded Teacher of the Year at Andrew Lewis High School in Salem, VA. As part of the Rotary Club of Louisville, he was awarded Rotarian of the Year 2013-2014 and Service Above Self in 2013. Ken was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War.
Ken’s career was filled with meaningful and exciting work. He used his keen intellect, gracious people skills, and managerial excellence to help others succeed. He was a reporter in Virginia, an assistant news director in Charlotte, NC; Hartford, CT; Washington, DC. Then was a news director in Tampa, FL, and again in Charlotte, NC. He became the President and General Manager of WHAS-TV in Louisville from 1997-2000 after serving in the same role at KMSB-TV in Tucson, AZ, from 1993-1997. He also served as Vice President, Operations, and Support Services for the National Center for Family Literacy in Louisville from 2001-2006. Ken finished his career as President of Middleton Consulting, helping businesses and nonprofits tell their story to their customers and donors.
Ken loved community involvement and did so through serving as an elder and teacher at his church, Second Presbyterian Church, and through several significant roles for Rotary Club of Louisville, including the Board of Directors, 2013-2015. He served his community through several different organizations Encore Louisville, Volunteers of American Mid-States, Kentucky Derby Festival, and Metro United Way. Ken loved to travel and go on trips with his family. Some of his explorations included China, Kenya, the Caribbean, Thailand, Australia, Canada, and much of Europe and the United States. Ken cared deeply and genuinely about others and modeled thoughtful, gracious servanthood to his family, friends, those he worked with, and his community. He will be greatly missed.
Memorial and funeral services are pending and will be announced at a later date.
Published in The Courier-Journal from Apr. 24 to Apr. 26, 2020
Tom & Alice Mobley attended the 2018 WHAS Crusade for Children Holiday Luncheon honoring the clergy who are panelists on Moral Side of The News and determine Crusade funding.
Watch a tribute video on our Facebook page, just click here.
Dr. Tommy Wayne Mobley, 70, of Bardstown, died December 2, 2019, at Flaget Memorial Hospital. A native of Harrodsburg, he is survived by his wife of 46 years, Alice Faye Mobley (nee Gordon); his daughter, Rachael Nickoson (Matt) Avon, IN; his son, Marcus Mobley, Bardstown; five grandsons, Justin & James Mobley, and Mathias, Levi, & Nehemiah Nickoson, Avon; one brother, James Steven Mobley (Hazel), Mt. Washington, many nieces and nephews, including Joe & John Mobley, Mt. Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents, James I. & Anna Mae Mobley.
A graduate of Fern Creek High School, he received his baccalaureate at Cincinnati Christian University and his Master’s and Doctorate from Southern Theological Seminary. He also studied at Louisville Bible College and Kentucky Southern College (U of L).
A minister of the Gospel, he was currently serving his second term as President of LBC. He previously was Registrar and Professor of Christian Education at CCU and College of the Scriptures and a Garrett Fellow at SBTS. Church ministries in Kentucky include Shiloh Christian Church (Lawrenceburg), Fairdale Christian Church (Louisville), Elsmere Church of Christ (Erlanger), and Nelson Christian Church (Bardstown) as well as First Christian Church (Scottsburg, IN). Often holding dual ministries, he also held numerous interim ministries throughout Kentuckiana.
Chaplaincy was the third aspect of his ministry for 50 years. He became Chaplain of Fern Creek Fire Dept. after serving as a “School Boy Fireman.” He later served as a Chaplain with Jefferson Co. Police Dept., Covington Police Dept., Scottsburg Police Dept., Scott Co. Sheriff’s Office (Reserve Deputy Sheriff), Louisville Division of Police (Coordinator of Chaplains), and Bardstown Police Dept. Additionally, he was FBI Chaplain with the Louisville Division for over 25 years and a Chaplain with Flaget Memorial Hospital. A member of International Conference of Police Chaplains, he held their highest level of certification, was a Certified Instructor, and served on several committees. A co-author of the first textbook on Police Chaplaincy, he taught the first-ever college and seminary courses on Police Chaplaincy.
He was a panelist on “WHAS Moral Side of the News” TV and radio program over 30 years as well as on the “WHAS Crusade for Children” Ministerial Advisory Board. He was Prayer Chairman for both North American Christian Convention and the National Missionary Convention in 1986. He was recipient of the Louisville Mayor’s Outstanding Service Award and was named to FCHS Hall of Fame. He was involved in numerous other local and national organizations.
His funeral is 11am Friday at Fern Creek Funeral Home, 5406 Bardstown Road with burial in Resthaven Memorial Park. Visitation is 3-7pm Thursday and after 9am Friday until the time of the service.
Sometimes a child facing a diagnosis like cancer just needs a break from the fear and treatment. No one knows that better than 13-year-old Lana Dobson. Thanks to the WHAS Crusade for Children and the Kids Cancer Alliance, Lana and her friends are getting that break the Indian Summer Camp.
Lana says she will keep coming to Indian Summer Camp until she ages out at 18, and then she’ll come back as a counselor. This year the camp will host 200 children from Kentucky and southern Indiana. Since 2010 the Crusade has granted $120,000 to Indian Summer Camp. That funding has given hundreds of children like Lana the opportunity to be a kid and not a patient.
A first child brings lots of excitement but can also bring worry when young parents suddenly have to deal with the responsibility of being moms and dads. Matthew Ayala’s parents thought he was doing okay until he was diagnosed with autism. Once they got over the initial surprise they found help through the Adair County School system and the WHAS Crusade for Children.
Since 1995, Adair County Schools have received more than $1 million dollars in Crusade grants. Those funds have given students like Matthew a way to satisfy their curiosity and build their futures.
A series of unexpected diagnoses left the Newby family wondering where they could find help for their son, Branson, after it was determined that he has autism and epilepsy. They were persistent, and thanks to a team that includes therapists, Bardstown Elementary School and the WHAS Crusade for Children, Branson is getting the support he needs.
Since 1969, Bardstown Independent Schools have received almost a million dollars in Crusade funding. Those grants continue to guarantee that children like Branson get the help they need to fulfill their potential.
Gabriel Forrest was born with a rare genetic disorder that affects 1 in 20,000 babies. He has albinism. For Gabriel that means a lack of pigment in his skin and hair. It also affects his vision. Once the shock wore off, the family found help through agencies supported by the WHAS Crusade for Children, like Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS).
At VIPS, Gabriel gets special attention to properly prepare him for kindergarten with basic concepts of numbers, shapes and social interaction.
Since 1985, VIPS has received more than $2 million in Crusade funding. Those grants continue to guarantee that children like Gabriel have the resources they need to be successful.
It’s the biggest day of local giving! Give for Good Louisville is SEPTEMBER 12.
One donation to the WHAS Crusade for Children can impact more than 200 agencies, schools & hospitals that receive grants from the Crusade. Thank you for helping us make life better for thousands of children in Kentucky and Indiana. 100% for the kids!
Crusade license plate now available
Show your support 365 days a year by sporting a WHAS Crusade for Children Kentucky License plate on your car!
Every Crusade for Children license plate registration donates $10 to help children with special needs.
Here’s what you do:
1. Take your registration, renewal card and proof of insurance to the County Clerk’s office.
2. Ask for the WHAS Crusade for Children license plate when you renew.
It’s just that easy!
Learn more online now: CLICK HERE.
Hearing loss caused by childhood meningitis led Jason Goldsmith to a WHAS Crusade for Children supported agencies where he met Cassie, the love of his life.
Approximately ten years later, Jason planned a surprise marriage proposal, and she said YES!
Jason and all the Goldsmith family continue to give back to the Crusade by collecting with the Highview Fire Department where his grandfather, Dave is the chief.
To learn more about the WHAS Crusade for Children, go to WHASCrusade.org. 100% for the kids!